Building Control
Building Control exists to make sure that buildings are properly designed and constructed so as to ensure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of people using them.
Many people misunderstand the relationship between the Town and Country Planning Act and Building Regulations. Most building operations such as new buildings, extensions or alterations require approval under both sets of legislation. However some only require approval under one and some require no approval at all. Below is more information to help explain this.
This introduction gives an insight into the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 and the Building Act 1984, the main legislative document under which they operate.
Town and Country Planning is concerned with land use allocations, the relationships of new and existing buildings and with aesthetics. Building Regulations cover the health, safety and welfare of people in or about buildings; the conservation of energy and access for disabled persons. New buildings, alterations and extensions, the fitting of certain works and fittings and changes in the use of buildings all generally require approval under the Building Regulations.
We also have an enquiry questionnaire that we recommend you complete even if the work will be exempt. We respond to the enquiry in writing usually within 10 days and should you sell your property at a later date our response is evidence that no permissions were required.
What is Building Work?
For the purpose of the Building Regulations ‘building work’ means:-
- The erection or extension of a building.
- An alteration to a building.
- The provision, extension or alteration of a controlled service or fitting.
- A material change of use of a building, or part of a building.
- Work involving the underpinning of a building.
- The insertion of insulating material into the cavity wall of a building.
- Any electrical work classed as "notifyable work"
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