(1) No person shall erect a building upon ground upon which there is any vegetable matter or any offensive or unhealthy waste, substance or matter, or any substance liable to disintegrate or decompose, unless and until he has had all such matter and any earth so rendered unstable or unhealthy removed from site, or treated so as to render so as to render it stable and healthy.

(2) No person erecting a building shall commence to excavate for the foundation of such building until all the ground to be covered by such building and falling within one meter of the exterior of such building has been cleared of all vegetation, debris and refuse:

Provided that the owner of the site may apply to the local authority for permission to leave standing any tree, bush, plant or lawn which may specify and the local authority may grant such permission, in its sole discretion.