Canterbury Magistrates have fined development company partner Allan Smith £7,000 with £7,000 costs after he admitted putting the public at risk from asbestos during demolition works in Dover.
The Royal Oak in Sandwich Road, Whitfield was demolished in a six-month project in 2010 with Smith, from ATS Developments, acting as principal contractor for the demolition.
In October 2010, the Health and Safety Executive was alerted by a member of the public who complained the site was insecure and children were playing there.
The Executive found the building partly demolished and the site unfenced, despite a public footpath crossing it.
It found no asbestos survey had been carried out prior to demolition and none was carried out after a letter was sent to the partners stating the need for one.
An improvement notice was served in October 2010 about site security.
"Mr Smith did not think about the risks he may have exposed his workers and members of the public to by cutting corners," said HSE inspector Caroline Penwill.
"Before anyone undertakes any demolition works they must consider whether asbestos is present and take precautionary steps such as carrying out an asbestos survey. The site was also very unsecure and exposed local children to the hazards of a building site. What makes this case all the more disappointing is that Mr Smith continued to work after the HSE advised him to undertake an asbestos survey."
Smith pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and Regulation 27(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.
