Building regulations approval
The building regulations service
Most building work needs building regulations approval. Unauthorised work that has been carried out without Building Regulation consent could be unsafe and will cause problems in the future when the property is sold.
Typical examples of work needing approval include:
- home extensions
- internal structural alterations such as the removal of a load-bearing wall or partition,installation of baths, showers, WCs which involve new drainage or waste plumbing, installation of new heating appliances other than electric
- new chimneys or flues
- underpinning of foundations
- alterations that affect the building's means of escape or fire precautions
- altered openings for new windows in roofs or walls
- replacing roof coverings unless exactly 'like for like' repair
- installation of cavity insulation
- erection of new buildings that are not exempt
- access improvements for people with disabilities
- replacement windows and doors (unless the contractor is FENSA registered)
- electrical work in dwellings (including electrical work in detached garages, sheds and external lighting)
We help you comply with the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 by:
- Giving advice and support
- Checking plans
- Inspecting sites
The Building regulations process
It is generally a two-stage process, known as a Full Plans application.
The first stage (plan stage):
- You submit your detailed plans for approval
- We carefully check the plans to make sure that all necessary information is shown, and that they comply with the building regulations
- You then have the opportunity to make amendments before either an approval, conditional approval or rejection is given
Our aims:
- To check 85% of applications within 10 working days and 99% within 15 working days
- To ensure that any requests for additional information are clear and unambiguous
- To work closely with applicants and their agents
The second stage (inspection stage):
- This stage starts when work commences on site
- A series of site visits are made to check that the work proceeds in accordance with the plan, and complies with the regulations
- For more simple works an alternative, called a Building Notice application, is also available together with more specialised application types to meet specific needs
Our aims:
- To offer a same day inspection service for requests made before 10:30 am
- To maintain accurate records of site visits
- To provide a certificate upon satisfactory completion of the work
Planning permission or building regulations approval?
Remember, you may also need planning permission. Planning guides the way our towns, cities and countryside develop. This includes the use of land and buildings, the appearance of buildings, landscaping considerations, highway access and the impact that the development will have on the general environment.
For many types of building work, separate permission under both regimes will be required. For other building work, such as internal alterations, buildings regulations approval will probably be needed, but planning permission may not be. If you are in any doubt you should contact planning@pendle.gov.uk.