About Building Control
This page explains what Building Control is, how to make an application and how much it costs.
If you are planning to build or extend a property, or carry out structural works or alterations, it is almost certain that you will need Building Control Approval.
This approval exists to ensure that work carried out is in accordance with current building regulations and is safe. Building Control Approval can be granted by the Council's Building Control department or by Approved Inspectors.
The difference between Planning Permission and Building Control
Planning permission relates to the size, shape, location, height and sympathy with surroundings.Building Control relates to the actual construction and uses the current building regulations to ensure, by inspection and approval, that the work is safe, healthy, minimises heat loss and can also have provision for disabled access.
What work requires Building Control?
Generally, all new structural works and alterations, conversions and extensions.
Due to the complexity of the subject it is strongly advisable to contact:
- Building Control Section
Tel 01737 276162
Fax 01737 276018
Applications
You can apply by post using forms you can download from this website.
Costs
Fees for all submissions are charged at different rates.
- Tell me more about the schedule of fees
When site inspection fees are raised after the plan application then this will be invoiced after the first inspection. Building Notice fees are paid in full at time of application. All fees are subject to VAT.
How long does it take?
Building Notice:
- You may start work after 48 hrs of serving the notice.
Full Plans:
- You may start work after 48hrs of acceptance of the application, at your own risk.
- However, it is advisable to wait for approval before commencing work in order to avoid risk.
- Waiting for approval will help the builder to quote more reliably for the work.
- Legislation requires the Local Authority to make a decision within five weeks or 2 months depending on the option chosen by you.
- However, remember that we will have to reject the application if any outstanding requested information is not supplied within these time limits. Most applications are vetted within 15 days and outstanding information sent promptly.
- If you employ a designer to act as your agent then all contact will be referred to them. They should be best qualified to answer any technical/regulatory issues raised by us.
Paperwork
You will receive:
- an acknowledgement of your application
- Approval or Rejection Notice (Full Plans)
- Completion Certificate
Please retain these as you will be required to produce them when the property is sold.
Builder recommendations
No, we must remain neutral in our role of checking plans and carrying out site inspections. However, contact the Federation of Master Builders website.
Ask builders to supply example addresses of work done and speak to people who have had work done.
Consider staged payments and note that you will only receive a completion certificate when we have finalised the work.
A completion certificate will be required when you sell the property.
Last updated : 26/08/2009
