Building Notice

This method of applying is very straightforward but is only suitable for certain domestic applications and does not involve the submission of drawings for Approval. You cannot apply for a Building Notice application where the works relate to the erection of a building fronting onto a private street, if there is a public sewer within 3.0m of the proposed work or if the building is subject to the provision of the Regulatory Reform Order 2005 i.e. shop, offices or any non-domestic works.

Once an application has been submitted, the details will be checked and assessed for validity. You or your agent will be notified, usually within two working days, whether the application is accepted or rejected or whether further information is needed and the work is allowed to start after this time.

You must remember that with a Building Notice submission the Authority does not approve the application; it merely accepts this as a notification of intent.

This method should only be considered if the person intending to carry out the work is fully conversant with all relevant requirements.

Advantages of the Building Notice procedure

The submission process is much quicker meaning works can commence on site sooner than for a Full Plans application, it is often referred to as a 48 hour Notice.

Disadvantages of the Building Notice procedure

Because no plans are submitted for approval, the Council offers no guarantee that the intended work will comply with the Building Regulations and the work is effectively approved on site. Therefore it is possible that unsatisfactory works could be carried out that may need correcting at a later stage so it is important to involve building control fully on site. Because there are no drawings involved, the person quoting for the work is only able to give an estimate of cost for the works and so the final bill might be more than you originally assumed.

The Authority may still require formal details to be submitted to justify design found on site e.g. structural design of steelwork.