Full plans assessments and site inspections

Assessment of plans

Plans are assessed for compliance with Building Regulations, any further information being requested as appropriate. The Council must pass the plans unless they are defective, or they show work will contravene the Building Regulations or allied legislation. Where the plans are defective or contravene the regulations the Council can reject the plans, or pass them subject to conditions [with agreement].

The application is approved when a Notice of Passing is issued.

Site inspections

When a valid application has been accepted the builder may commence work. The Building Control Department carries out various inspections from commencement to completion. If the builder commences work prior to approval of the plans, he proceeds entirely at his own risk.

There is a legal obligation on any person causing works to be carried out to advise the Building Control Department at various stages so that inspections may be undertaken. Building Control will undertake any other inspections as are deemed necessary.

After the Building Control Department carries out the initial inspection, a fee will be raised for the total amount of inspection fee due for that particular project.

When the works are satisfactorily completed and the inspection fee has been paid, Building Control will forward a Completion Certificate to the applicant that states the work was inspected and has been satisfactorily completed.

The Completion Certificate, together with the Building Regulation Approval Notice, forms an important part of the document portfolio necessary to demonstrate to surveyors, solicitors and lending institutions that the works carried out comply with the requirements of the Building Regulations. Without these documents it can be difficult, if not impossible, to secure finance and/or effect a sale in the conveyancing process.

The importance of a Completion Certificate cannot be over-emphasised.  It verifies that a property complies with legal guidelines and has been subject to Building Regulations inspections. For this reason it also facilitates the conveyancing process for all those involved, i.e. house owners, developers, solicitors, banks, building societies and purchasers.

If you or your agent wish to talk to a Building Control Surveyor about your scheme before submitting it for assessment, you can do so by contacting the Building Control Team