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Building Control

What is Building Control all about?

Building control was initially developed to ensure that construction was carried out in accordance with good practice and that people could live and work safely within the built environment. The earliest regulations concerned the structure of buildings and covered areas such as foundations, floor loading, roof design and so on.

Although this is still the case, the regulations have been extended significantly in recent years. Many of these additions have covered safety related issues such as fire protection and the design of stairs although some, particularly the more recent elements, have covered areas of policy such as facilities and access for the disabled.

The Regulations cover most building works including the erection of new buildings, conversion and extension of existing buildings, and the installation of heating, drainage or sanitary facilities.

The Regulations may also introduce the need for Building Regulation Approval in relation to a change of use of a building, even if building works are not intended. This is because the change of use may introduce the need for health and safety measures.

Pair of Semi-detached houses in Horsham

The Building Regulations may also come into play in circumstances where works that you are considering undertaking may have a structural or other building impact upon adjoining property. This is a particular consideration for the removal of trees (especially in clay subsoil areas) where the foundations of property could be affected by their removal.

There are a few areas of work where Building Regulation Approval is not needed but for most of the time, if the work that you propose to undertake involves any form of construction, then the local Building Control Authority will need to be informed.

What happens if I do work without consent?

Work is inspected at various stages as it progresses and the way in which each of the individual parts of the Building Regulations apply to your work will be considered. If the situation is found to be unsatisfactory you may have to make alterations or even undo the work completely. If the Council or Approved Inspector require rectification of the work, a notice will usually be issued giving 28 days notice for the works to be put right. You may seek specialist advice, which could extend the period to 70 days. You may also appeal formally against a notice to the Secretary of State within prescribed time limits. Contravention of the Building Regulations can result in prosecution with fines being levied on a daily basis. Failure to carry out the works required after conviction could result ultimately in the Council doing the work and recovering the costs from you.

How do I go about gaining Building Approval?

There are two key ways of obtaining building approval both of which involve the Local Authority inspecting the plans of the work that is proposed. These are known as the full plans procedure and the building notice procedure respectively.