We welcome pre-application discussions and can advise you about the information you need to submit and help you calculate the charge. The Building Control team is also an essential part of the Development Team, put together to progress major developments.
There are two methods of applying for building regulations consent.
Full plans of your proposals are produced and submitted to the Council for approval.
You need to ensure plans are prepared well in advance of your start date, showing all constructional details.
The plans should be submitted with an application form and fee. We will check the details and advise of any ommissions or contraventions, normally by phone.
Once the scheme is agreed, we will also consult other relevant authorities prior to issuing an approval. If, however, the scheme cannot be agreed, we are required to issue a rejection within five weeks (or eight weeks, with agreement). Further discussion can be carried out to reach agreement, and the application resubmitted at no extra charge.
PDF version (140KB) 
PDF version (66KB) These can only be used to apply for works to dwelling houses (not flats). A location plan is needed in the case of extensions, and no detailed plans are required to be submitted with the form. You may be required to provide additional information to prove compliance at a later stage.
Send us the Building Notice Form, location plan and appropriate fee and the application should be registered, subject to the proposal not affecting any public sewers.
It is your or your builder's responsibility to ensure the works achieve the standards required by the Building Regulations. Therefore you must feel confident of your knowledge of the standards required, as you will alter any non-compliant works at your own expense.
The Building Control Surveyor will inspect the work as it is carried out and try to guide you to meet the standards, although the final design will rest with you.
No approval notice is given under the Building Notice procedure, although a completion certificate will be issued on satisfactory completion of works. The advantage of a Building Notice procedure is a speedy application process and you can start 48 hours after we have registered the application.
PDF version (126KB) PDF version (72KB) With the introduction of the new HIP’s (Home Information Packs) it has become very difficult to sell a house that has had alterations or extensions undertaken without building regulation approval.
Problems occur when the vendor cannot supply the purchaser with the appropriate approval notice and/or completion certificate. This calls into question the quality of building construction and the structural integrity of the work.
However, you can now apply to Building Control for a Regularisation Certificate for work undertaken after 11th November 1985 which will assist this but you need to be aware that a fee is payable to the Council and breaches to the building regulations may need to be rectified
The appropriate Charge is dependent upon the type of work proposed. The regularisation charge is payable when the application is made to the Local Authority and is 120% of the total net charge payable if Full Plans or a Building Notice had been deposited for the unauthorised work.
No VAT is payable on Regularisation works.
For further guidance on charges please contact the office on 0845 129 77 77 Ext 3756
Remember, Planning Permission is separate from Building Regulations Approval. You must apply separately for both, if both are needed. One permission does not give you the other permission.