Article: How to Submit a Building Regulations Application
Article Body
What must I do to get Building Regulations permission?
You can choose to send in Full Plans or a Building Notice for new buildings, alterations, and extensions. Follow the link below to go to the documentation to make all types of application
Full plans
Detailed plans of your proposed building works will be checked by a Building Control Officer. If we want you to make any changes or require more information we will contact you or your agent. Item 6 on the application form allows you to agree on conditional consent, in this case minor revisions will be added to the plans by the Building Control Officer in Red. You should make sure that your builder has a copy of the approved plans to prevent problems arising on site.
Electronic submission of full plans applications
Barnsley Council's Building Control Service and Development Control are pleased to announce that we now accept online submissions of Building Control and Planning applications using Submit-a-plan and Planning Portal. The following link provides information on electronic submission and the benefits of electronic submission.
Submit Your Application Electronically
Building notice
An optional alternative to depositing Full Plans. A Building Notice is only suitable if you are doing works to your home. The erection of a building containing an office or shop would require a Full Plans application. In the case of loft conversions, additional information showing construction details will be required. Normally a site plan showing the position of your proposal and all site drainage will be sufficient. You should only use this procedure if your builder is reliable and experienced.
Additional types of building regulation application
In addition to Full Plans and Building Notice Applications for new buildings, extensions, and alterations, we also provide information and application forms for applications to regularise unauthorised work, replace windows and doors, and carry out electrical work.
Regularisation applications
You can now apply to building control to regularise and obtain a
regularisation certificate for alterations or extensions that were
carried out to buildings after 11th November 1985 without first
applying for a building regulation approval.
(Note: this procedure is not applicable to retrospective planning
permission and you are advised to consult the planning officer for
advice.)
We can not regularise situations prior to the 11th November 1985.
An owner is under no obligation to submit an application and equally the council is under no obligation to accept an application.
Follow the links below for further information on a regularisation application and unauthorised work.
What if I do not comply
with the Building Regulations
Building Control
Regularisation Certificates
Building notice - window/door replacement
Since the 1st April 2002, building owners having replacement windows or external doors (over 50% glazing) fitted, must obtain Building Regulations consent, and have the installations inspected to ensure their compliance with strict new thermal performance standards and that safety glazing is fitted where required.
When selling your property, the purchaser's solicitor may ask for evidence that any replacement glazing installed after the 1st April 2002 complies with the new Building Regulations. There are two ways to obtain Building Regulations consent:
- A certificate showing that the work has been done by an installer under the FENSA scheme; or
- A certificate from the Barnsley Council saying that the installation has been completed and complies with the Building Regulations.
One of the main reasons for the change is the need to reduce energy loss. The Building Regulations have controlled glazing in new buildings for many years, but they only represent a very small percentage of the countries total building stock. It is essential to improve the thermal performance of the much larger number of existing buildings, if the UK is to meet the Government's commitment to national and global energy saving targets.
The following download provides information on Window/Door Replacement Applications.
Information Sheet 12: Replacing Windows or Doors in your house
Building notice - Electrical wiring (approved document p)
Since the 1st January 2005 the design, installation, inspection and testing of electrical installations has been controlled under the Building Regulations.
Part P applies mainly to dwelling houses and flats including gardens and outbuildings such as sheds, detached garages and greenhouses.
Small jobs such as provision of a socket-outlet or a light switch on an existing circuit will not need to be notified to Building Control (although there will be some exceptions for high risk areas such as kitchens and bathrooms).
All work that involves adding a new circuit to a dwelling, or electrical work in kitchens and bathrooms or in 'special locations' (see table) will need to be either notified to Building Control with a building regulation application, or carried out by a competent person who is registered with a Part P Self-Certification Scheme.
The following download provides further information on Electrical Safety Applications.
Information Sheet 11: Electrical Safety - Approved Document P
Site inspections
You or your builder should phone to arrange the inspection, giving as much notice as possible. We will endeavour to carry out same day inspections if we are notified by 12 noon.
We have a 24 hour answer phone on (01226) 772699 for calls outside normal office hours, or fax (01226) 772698.
Follow the link below for further information on arranging inspections.
Charges
The total cost of both options is the same.
Certain Full Plans applications require 100% of the fees at the deposit stage, others require only 25% with the remaining 75% due after works have commenced.
Follow the link below to view our fee charges for all types of Building Regulation applications.
Application Forms and Fee Sheets
Follow the links below to view information on how you can find out if your property has approval, and how to obtain copies of approval and completion certificates.
How Can I Find Out if My Property has Approval
How Can I
Obtain Copies of Approval and Completion Certificates
For further advice please contact Building Control on (01226) 772678.
You can start work 24 hours after you deposit your application and fees, but you must inform Building Control of your intention to commence.
Advice on Town Planning requirements should be sought at plans stage.