Building Control
Download the Building Control account 2010/11 (PDF, 80KB)
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We are committed to providing excellent customer service. Your feedback will play a vital role in improving the Building Control Service, please take the time to complete this short survey. To show our appreciation, you will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five £20 vouchers, when you complete the survey by 27 February 2012.
About Building Control
Building Control's primary function is to make sure that buildings are properly designed and constructed so as to ensure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of people in or about buildings.
The carrying out of mosts forms of building work (including new buildings, extensions, alterations and the change of use of a building) requires approval under The Building Regulations, and covers aspects of building works ranging from the installation of a boiler to the erection of multi million pound projects.
The Government publishes Approved Documents, which demonstrate how the requirements of the Building Regulations may be satisfied. They are not the only means of satisfying these requirements. Other ways can include using guidance published by the British Standards Institute, Building Research Establishment etc.
Principal areas of control
The principal areas of control covered by the Regulations are:
- structural stability - will the building safely carry anticipated loadings or will it fall down?!
- fire precautions - both controlling the materials used according to the degree of risk and making sure that buildings could be evacuated without loss of life in the event of a fire
- the prevention of dampness and condensation in buildings
- sound resistance of walls and floors between dwellings
- 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. Is the building properly insulated etc
- access to buildings and facilities for disabled people
- the safe positioning of glazing in windows and doors etc
- electrical installations and alterations in dwellings
Full Plans application
Building control generally operates as a two-stage process, referred to as the Full Plans application.
Plan stage
The first stage (known as the plan stage) involves the applicant submitting detailed plans for approval. These plans are carefully checked by a Building Control Surveyor to ensure that all necessary information is shown, and that it complies 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.
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. You can find out more on the HSE website.
Inspection stage
The second stage (inspection stage) starts when work commences on site after which a series of site visits are made at relevant stages to check that the work is proceeding in accordance with the plan, and hence complies with the regulations.
For more simple works an alternative, called the Building Notice application, is also available together with more specialised application types to meet specific needs.
If you require further information on Building Control, please use the details above to contact us.
Page updated: 23 Jan 2012
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