Making a Building Regulations Application

There are two methods of making an application under the Building Regulations, they are;

1) Full Plans Submission

and

2) Building Notice Procedure

Full Plans Submission

Requires the submission of a completed Full Plans Application Form, full construction drawings, details and specification of the intended scheme prior to work commencing on site.

A detailed appraisal of the proposals will be carried out by a Building Control Surveyor. You or your agent (if you have appointed one) will be sent an appraisal letter which details items that require additional information, clarification or some other form of amendment. Once you or your agent have satisfactorily answered these queries a formal Notice of Approval will be issued which remains valid for three years from date of deposit of the application. You are then safe in the knowledge that providing you and your builder constructs strictly in accordance with those plans, and any conditions on the approval, the regulations will be satisfied.

(It should be remembered however that the regulations do not cover everything).

Minor variations in construction can be agreed as work progresses, major changes may require amended details to be submitted (variations may need to be dealt with separately and differently under other legislation e.g. planning permission).

Building Regulations Form 1 - Full Plans/Building Notice Application Form

Building Notice Procedure

A Building Notice submission does not require the submission of plans with the Notice, other than in the case of the erection or extension of a building, a block plan at a minimum scale of 1:1250 is required. (see note on back of Building Notice Application form). The authority may however require details to be submitted during the construction process, if, without them they are unable to ensure compliance with the Regulations.

Once the Notice is received and providing the fee is correct you will be issued with a Building Notice Acceptance letter. You should note that this does not in any way indicate prior approval of your proposals. Although, this process may appear advantageous it also has its disadvantages:

You and/or your builder have no approved plans to work to. Whilst the inspecting officer will endeavour to anticipate problems, delays and costly remedial works may be necessary if the work carried out does not comply with the Building Regulations.
You need to be very sure that you or your builder are familiar with all the relevant Regulations and you will need to prove that the works comply when the Building Control Surveyor visits the site.
You may find that without plans you and your builder have different ideas in respect of detail and general design issues outside of the Building Regulations. Enforcement of any "contract" between you may prove difficult.
The 'estimate' the builder gives you may prove inaccurate without the benefit of full design information.

There can be a high risk factor with this type of application and it would be perhaps more suitable for simpler projects.

Building Regulations - Full Plans/Building Notice Form

Last Updated: 31/10/2016

Making a Building Regulations Application

Full Plans Submission

Building Notice Procedure

Cannock Chase District Council

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