Making an Application
There are two methods of making an application: A "Full
Plans Application" or a "Building Notice".
A charge is payable for the Building
Control service
The charge is the same regardless of the method of
application.
-
With the Full Plans method the charge is split into two
instalments, the first being payable on receipt of the application
and the second following the first inspection by a Building Control
Surveyor.
-
With a Building Notice the whole charge is payable at the time
of giving the Notice.
Details of charges are set out on the charges tables
attached to the relevant application form, or are obtainable from
our offices.
Full Plans Application
Plans showing details of the proposed work are submitted to the
council, together with a completed application form and the
appropriate charge. Building Control Surveyors examine the
proposals; if they demonstrate compliance with the Building
Regulations an approval notice is issued. If compliance with the
Building Regulations is not shown the applicant will be invited to
amend the plans.
Where it is impossible to submit certain information with your
application the Council may give a conditional approval. The
conditions are:
- That the plans shall be modified in the way that the Council
specifies, or
- That further plans as the Council specify shall be
deposited.
We must give a decision within five weeks of the
application being submitted, or two months if the applicant
agrees to an extension of time.
This method has the considerable advantages of the security of a
formal approval and the guidance of an approved plan when the work
commences on site.
The approval is often a requirement of banks and building
societies before advance of a mortgage or loan for building
work. An approval notice may also be required on the sale of
the property.
Building Notice
The Building Notice procedure does not require the submission of
detailed plans. It is most suitable for minor works by people who
have knowledge of construction and the Building Regulations.
You cannot use a Building Notice in the following circumstances
when:
- The work is within 3 metres of a public sewer
- The work is to a building in which people are employed
- The work involves a new building fronting onto a private
street
The information required under the Building Notice system is a
completed application form, the appropriate charge and a site plan
to a scale not less than 1:1250, but the Council may request
further details considered necessary in order to determine that the
proposals comply with the Regulations.
The main disadvantage of this system is that you do not have the
security of a notice of passing of plans and the guidance of an
approved plan to work from, although inspections will be made in
the same manner as for the Full Plans process.
Regularisation
In the event that you have started work without approval you may
submit an application for regularisation.
The charge for a Regularisation application is equivalent to the
Building Notice charge plus 20% (although VAT is not
levied).
If the Council accepts this, works will be inspected and where
necessary you may be asked to open up or uncover some work and/or
conduct certain tests to show compliance with the Regulations.
When compliance is achieved a Certificate of Regularisation will
be issued.
The submission of a Regularisation application does not prevent
the Council from taking enforcement procedures for a breach of the
Building Act or the Building Regulations.
This procedure cannot be used if the work took place before
November 1985.
LANTAC Type Approval
The Local Authority National Type Approval Confederation,
(LANTAC), offers builders, developers, and construction industry
professionals a fast track route through the Building Regulation
plan approval process.
All buildings and building systems given national type approval
through LANTAC can be erected throughout England and Wales with
only the minimum of site specific plan checking by the local
authority.
For a more detailed information about the service please contact
our office and ask to speak to the Building Control Surveyor
responsible for LANTAC type approvals.
Currently LANTAC type approval and system approval schemes exist
for the following schemes: -
- National House Type Approval Scheme
- Commercial and Industrial Type Approval Scheme
- Foundation Type Approval Scheme
- Shell Fit Out Type Approval Scheme
- System Approval Scheme
