How to make a Building Regulations application

You should decide which application is appropriate for your own circumstance. If you have any questions, please contact the Building Control Team.

Even if you feel your work does not require Building Regulation approval it is always better to ask.

Online applications

You can now send your Building Control application online to www.submit-a-plan.com the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) portal.

Types of Building Regulation application

There are three types of Building Regulation applications:

• Building Notice application
• Full Plans application
• Regularisation application

Fee for applications

With effect from 1st January 2011 the VAT rate is calculated at 20%. These are detailed on the appropriate application page.

Reduction

Where the submission contains more than two units of work, there is a reduction of £68.70 + £13.74 VAT = £82.44 total off the plan charge due (except in the case of Regularisation or Reversion).

Refunds

With effect from 1 April 2010, where a charge is paid but work does not proceed, any request for a refund will be considered on the basis of costs incurred by the Council subject to a minimum administration charge of £50.00.

Section 32 of The Building Act 1984

If the work has not commenced within three years of the deposit of the plans, the Council may, by notice under Section 32 of the Building Act 1984, declare the plans to be of no effect.

If you still wish to proceed with this work a new application will have to be submitted. This application will have to be to the standards applicable at the time of deposit and will require a further fee.

Approved Inspectors

Approved Inspectors are the private sector alternative to Local Authority Building Control.  If you decide to use the services of an Approved Inspector instead of the Council’s Building Control service, then an Initial Notice must be submitted by the Approved Inspector to the Council before work commences on site.

The Council do not supervise the building work on site at any stage, nor do the Council produce any documentation to confirm the work has been commenced or completed on site.

The Council are usually notified of the commencement and completion dates for the works for historic purposes, and if you do require documentation then you are required to contact the Approved Inspector directly at the website www.cic.org.uk/services/AIregister.shtml

Completion Certificates

Have your works been signed off by a Building Surveyor?

You cannot get a Completion Certificate until you've had your works signed off by the Building Surveyor.

Many people don't realise you need to get a final inspection to 'complete' works. You cannot complete the sale of your house without proof of a Completion Certificate for any works carried out on a property.