Alternatively, you can visit us at the Barnsley Connects Service Centre, The Civic, Eldon Street, Barnsley, S70 2JL between 9.00 - 1.00pm Monday – Friday, where we provide a duty surveyor to give technical or general advice. 

If you wish to speak with a specific surveyor, you can arrange to meet with them at the Barnsley Connects Service Centre by prior appointment between 9.00 - 5.00pm Monday - Friday.

How the customer can help

Remember that you will need a completion certificate. Therefore, if you are the applicant, by all means check that the inspections are being undertaken if your builder has told you that he will arrange them.

Completion certificates are important documents so you should keep them in a safe place. They are often required when selling a property or making legal transactions.

Application Form References

Please contact Building Control to obtain copies of our application forms.

Please ensure that you have indicated that you wish for a completion certificate to be issued on the application form used for your original Building Control application.

Leaflets

Please contact Building Control for copies of our information leaflets.

Distribution Points

Advice, application forms and information leaflets are available at one of the Barnsley Connects Service Centre, which is located at The Civic, Eldon Street, Barnsley, S70 2JL.

Legislation

Builders and developers are required by law to submit building regulation applications for approval to obtain building control approval - an independent check that the Building Regulations have been complied with.

The following legislation is used by Barnsley MBC Building Control.

1. When plans are submitted for approval :

The Building Act 1984
Section1- Power to make Building Regulations.
Section18 - Building over a public sewer.
The Building Regulations 2000
Approved Documents to the regulations.
2. Statutory empowerment to enforce the requirements :

The Building Act 1984
Section 35 - Penalty for contravening building regulations.
Section 36 - Removal or alteration of offending work.
Section 95 - Power to enter premises

Builders are required by law to notify when the stages of work are ready for inspection.

Websites

Local Authority Building Control (LABC)

Response Times/Next Steps

Completion certificates are issued showing that the work has been approved and inspected to our satisfaction within 5 working days of completing the inspection.

Out of Hours Procedure

Inspections are only carried out during normal office hours.

Owner Officer Contact Details

Building Control - Telephone (01226) 772678

Additional Notes

Completion certificates are increasingly being sought by solicitors/estate agents. As evidence that building work has been carried out and completed to our satisfaction, and there are no outstanding requirements under Building Regulations.

The completion certificate is no guarantee of workmanship and it is always worthwhile engaging professional advisers at all stages of construction.

The council keeps a record of completion certificates that have been issued, additional copies can be obtained but there is usually a charge of £12.50 for this.  Please note:  We are unable to issue completion certificates for applications submitted prior to 1992.  If your application was submitted prior to 1992 we can supply a letter confirming details of the approval and completion dates, but there is usually a charge of £12.50 for this.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Building Regulations?

The Building Regulations are legal requirements aimed at achieving minimum standards of construction. The main purpose of the Regulations is to safeguard the health and safety of people in or about buildings. They are also concerned with energy efficiency and access and facilities for disabled people. Building Regulations apply to all types of buildings - domestic, commercial, assembly and institutional.

What types of work require Building Regulation approval?

The Building Regulations cover most types of building work. For example, new buildings, extensions or alterations to existing buildings, loft conversions, the installation or alteration of drainage or heating appliances, structural alterations, installation of new windows or doors, electrical installations, and changes of use all require the submission of a Building Regulation application. If in doubt contact Building Control Services.

How much do I have to pay?

Full details of the Building Regulations charges system and amounts payable for all types of work are available upon request and will be supplied with your application forms. If the work is for the access and facilities of a disabled person then it may qualify for exemption from the payment of charges. Further information on charges can be obtained by contacting Building Control Services. The authority is required by government to set building regulation charges to cover the cost of providing the service.