Building Regulation Fees 1st April 2008

There are two types of applications:

Full Plans

This is the traditional way of applying for permission with fully detailed plans, specifications, calculations and other supporting information to enable the Building Control Office to determine compliance with the Building Regulations. This form of approval gives a degree of protection, provided the work is carried out in accordance with the plans. The approval of the plan is valid for three years. Full Plans Application Form available from the link on the right of this page.

Building Notice

This is a quick method of giving notice of proposed building work; generally no plans are required although further details may be required as work proceeds. Building works may start within two days of depositing the Building Notice with the Council. This method is most suited to small works where detailed plans are not required.  The Building Notice application form is available from the link on the right of this page.

Submit-a-plan

In addition to the formal way of applying for Building Regulation permission applications can also be made online by registering with www.submitaplan.com which enables you to send your Building Control Applications to participating Building Control Services electronically (using this web site). You can also track your applications through Track-a-Plan allowing you to see how far your application has progressed

Fees

The Department for Communities and Local Government, formerly The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), currently set the level of fees payable for the building work previously described. The fees change from time to time and it is advisable to seek up to date information from the Council. The current fees can be found on the right of this page.

Local Authority National Type Approval (LANTAC)

If you design or build standard commercial, industrial buildings and dwellings that conform to a style that is repeated in different areas of the country, LANTAC will have commercial benefits. A valid type of approval means subsequent applications to build an approved unit will be accepted for Building Regulations purposes without further checking. Further details of this scheme are available on
request.

Inspection of Works

When Full Plans or a Building Notice have been approved, the Council then has to be notified as to when building work is to start and then at various stages of construction. At least 24 hours' notice (48 hours in the case of a commencement) is required to allow a Building Control Officer to check the works. Failure to do so may mean that work has to be removed or
opened up for inspection.
The Council is required, by law, to be notified at the following stages:

• commencement (48 hours' notice)
• excavation for foundations
• placing of foundations concrete
• damp-proofing course in position
• oversite fill materials in position
• drains laid
• drains backfilled
• In addition seven days' notice is required before:
• occupation of a building
• completion of works or building

These requirements imply that the Council is interested in making inspections only at the above-specified stages. However, the Council is responsible for the enforcement of the whole of the Regulations. This can only be achieved by prior approval of plans and particulars and by effective site supervision throughout the period of the works. It is the Council's policy to carry out all the inspections and spot checks as are felt necessary.