The building control system exists to ensure buildings are properly designed and constructed. Buildings must ensure the health, safety and welfare of people using them and must also be convenient to use.
Building Regulations
The current Building Regulations were introduced in 2000 and have subsequently been amended several times. Principal areas covered by the regulations:
- Structural stability - the building must safely carry anticipated loadings.
- Fire precautions - controlling the materials used according to the degree of risk, and ensuring buildings could be evacuated without loss of life in the event of a fire.
- Prevention of dampness and condensation in buildings.
- Sound resistance of certain walls and floors in between dwellings and other residential buildings.
- Ventilation of habitable rooms and unheated voids.
- Hygiene, sanitary appliances and drainage.
- Heating appliances, including the safe discharge of flue gasses.
- Stairways, ramps and vehicle barriers.
- Conservation of fuel and power. For example, is the building properly insulated?
- Access to buildings and facilities for all sectors of the community.
- The safe positioning of glazing in windows and doors.
- Electrical safety in dwellings.
Building Control Applications
Before making an application, please read our guidance notes which accompany the application form.
Building Regulation Applications can be made in one of two ways: Full Plans Application or Building Notice Application. Both types of application require certain details to be sent to us initially and inspections to be made when the work goes ahead on site. Both must be made before any site works commence. Please refer to our 'Submitting your application' page for additional information.
Full Plans Application
Plan Stage - The first stage of any full plans application is known as the 'plan stage'. This first stage involves the applicant submitting detailed plans for approval. These plans are very carefully checked by one of our Building Control Surveyor to ensure they include all necessary information, and that they comply fully with the Building Regulations. Wherever possible, applicants are given the opportunity to make amendments (if required) before either an approval, conditional approval or rejection is given.
Inspections Stage - The second stage of a full plans application is known as the 'inspection stage'. This second stage starts when work commences on site. A series of site visits are made to check that work proceeds in accordance with the plan, and hence complies with regulations. You or your builder must notify us when the appropriate inspections are required.
If you are having construction or refurbishment work done, you may need to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and you may have other duties as well. Click here here to find out more.
Building Notice Application
For more simple works, an alternative application (known as the 'building notice application') is available. This type of application may not require as much initial detail to be sent in with the application form, although we must ask you to provide any drawing, specification, etc deemed necessary to ensure your building work will comply with the relevant regulations. A Building Notice Application can only be used for certain types of building, as explained in our guidance notes. If you are unsure as to its suitability for your particular situation, please contact us for advice.
Other Types of Application
Where building work has been carried out without any prior formal application being made, this work is considered to be unauthorised, and the building owner is potentially subject to legal action. In certain cases, it may be possible for the owner to 'redress' the situation, should they so wish, by making a Regularisation Application, although this procedure cannot be accepted in all cases. Please contact us for further details.
Approval Notices and Completion Certificates - In order to indicate its satisfaction with proposals covered by Building Regulations, we will issue certain documents. further information can be found in our frequently asked questions section, click here.
Exemptions from Building Regulations - further information can be found in our frequently asked questions section, click here.
Building Regulation charges/fees - refer to our 'Submitting your application' page for further information or contact us if you are unsure if fees apply to your particular application.
Access Officer - click here further information.
