The Council has a legal duty under Building Regulations to protect people in or about buildings. If you are considering building work (including new buildings, extensions, replacement windows, installation of boilers, removal of internal walls, re-roofing, etc), the chances are your proposals will be subject to control under the Buildings Regulations. You can check this and obtain further advice by contacting the Building Control Service.
The Building Regulations are approved by Parliament and manage the minimum standards of design and building work required for the construction of domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. They also specify the definition of what is regarded as "building work" and the procedures for ensuring that it meets the required standards.
Building Regulations ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings, by providing functional requirements for building design and construction. In addition, the Regulations promote conservation of natural resources in buildings and ensure that buildings are usable by all people.
Builders and developers are required by law to obtain building control approval – an independent check that the Building Regulations have been complied with. There are two types of building control providers – Local Authority Building Control and Private Building Control bodies.
Fees are payable for either service and High Peak Building Control Service will offer advice before your work is carried out.
If you want to put up a new building, extend or alter an existing one, provide fittings within a building, such as drains or heat-producing appliances, washing and sanitary facilities and hot water storage, the Building Regulations are likely to apply. The Building Regulations might also apply to certain changes of use of an existing building, even though construction work may not be proposed. This is due to the fact that the change of use may involve the building having to meet different requirements of the regulations.
You should remember that although it may appear the regulations do not apply to some of the work you wish to undertake, the final result could lead to contraventions of the regulations. You should also recognise that some work (whether or not controlled) could have implications for adjacent properties. In these cases, it is advisable to take professional advice and, if necessary, consult with a building control provider.
The Building Act 1984 allows for the creation by the Secretary of State of regulations to control the minimum standard of building work.
Building Regulations ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings, by providing functional requirements for building design and construction. In addition, the Regulations promote conservation of natural resources in buildings and ensure that buildings are usable by all people.
The regulations are referred to as the Building Regulations and take the form of functional requirements that must be met.
There are 14 parts (A-H and J-P) to these requirements and they cover subjects including fire safety, structure, drainage, ventilation, energy conservation and access and facilities for people with disabilities. The requirements are conveyed in broad, functional terms in order to give designers and builders the maximum amount of flexibility in preparing their plans. For further information and guidance on the Building Regulations and procedures for submitting applications please visit the Planning Portal. (External website**)
Each of the 14 parts is supported by a separate, approved document, which contains practical and technical guidance on ways in which the requirements can be met. Copies can be viewed at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) (External website**). The documents' legal standing is also under review. The principle behind the regulations being in functional form is to allow designers and builders flexibility in the methods and designs they employ.
The approved documents are only one method of complying with the requirements, but have become almost the standards to be adhered to. Other guidance does exist on good building practice, British Standards and Codes of Practice being examples. With the thrust to the European Community, it is likely European standards will soon exist and these will need to be addressed. Proposed amendments are currently available for consultation and persons wishing to know more can visit the the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) website. (External website**)
See all the Building Regulation approved documents on the DCLG website (External website**).
**Please note: High Peak Borough Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.