Building control approval with full plans

Submit a full plans application for all types of building work. We recommend you use this for more complex work, for example a housebuilding project. This application is more detailed and minimises the risk of work not being compliant with regulations.

You must always submit a full plans application if:

• the building is anything other than a flat or single dwelling
• it's a commercial development
• you intend to build over or within three metres of a public sewer and approval has not been granted by Yorkshire Water
• the work you're carrying out is to a building where the Fire Safety Order 2005 applies, or will apply after completion of the building work
• work has already started

Applications for building control approval with full plans must be made in writing and signed by the person making the application.

Required documents

You must also include the following documents with your application:

• A statement that the application is an application for building control approval with full plans
• A statement as to whether the building is a building to which the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies or will apply after completion of the building work
• Description of the existing building to include:
  • details of the current use of the building and current use of each storey
  • the height of the building - this is to be measured from ground level to the finished surface of the floor of the top storey of the building (ignoring any storey which is a roof-top machinery or plant area or consists exclusively of machinery or plant rooms)
  • the number of storeys in the building
• Description of the proposed work to include:
  • details of the intended use of the building, including the intended use of each storey
  • the height of the building after the proposed work - this is to be measured from ground level to the finished surface of the floor of the top storey of the building (ignoring any storey which is a roof-top machinery or plant area or consists exclusively of machinery or plant rooms)
  • the number of storeys in the building after the proposed work
  • the provision to be made for the drainage of the building
  • where paragraph H4 of Schedule 1 imposes a requirement, the precautions to be taken in the building over a drain, sewer or disposal main to comply with the requirements of that paragraph
  • Commencement date of works. Please note: this is not the same date as the actual start of works, which is to be taken as when the very first activity on site takes place. (see above)
    • For residential buildings and for the horizontal extension of a building, work is to be regarded as commenced when the sub-surface structure of the building or the extension (including all foundations, any basement level (if any) and the structure of the ground floor level) is completed. If the work does not involve foundation or substructure works, the date is when the client would regard the project has reached 15% of the schedule of work.
    • For complex buildings, work is to be regarded as commenced in relation to that building or the first stage of building work for that building when the foundations supporting the building and the structure of the lowest floor level of that building (but not the other buildings or structures to be supported by those foundations) are completed.
• a location plan with the site highlighted in red and all adjoining roads and properties. The plan should be no less than 1:1250 scale and for new housing, it should show the direction of north

Supporting documents

You may also need to provide copies of relevant documents, including:

• all building plans. Detailed plans and sections should be drawn to a recognisable scale normally not less than 1:100. 1:200 is permissible where the proposed building is extensive. Plans should show compliance with fire safety requirements if the Fire Safety Order 2005 applies, or will apply after the completion of the building work
• a copy of the qualification that shows the installer can issue the BS7671 installation certificate and the BS7671 installation certificate where possible
• supporting calculations
• other additional relevant information

How to apply

You'll need to visit Submit-a-Plan to make a building control approval with full plans application. If you’re not registered you’ll need to do this first. It should only take a few minutes before you can get started. 

If you need to email us any supporting documents after you’ve submitted your application, please email these to buildingcontrol@barnsley.gov.uk quoting the site address.

Building notice (only to be used for domestic work)

Complete a building notice for smaller projects such as extensions, garages and internal alterations.

You should only use a building notice application if your builder is reliable and experienced. We don't approve any details for the work prior to work starting as we would with a full plans application. It's the responsibility of the person carrying out the work to ensure that it is carried out in accordance with regulations. This will then be checked on site by a building control surveyor.

When you fill the form in you’ll need to provide:

• Location plan with the site highlighted in red and all adjoining roads and properties. The plan should be no less than 1:1250 scale and for new housing, it should show the direction of north.

You may also need to provide copies of relevant documents, including:

• All building plans. Detailed plans and sections should be drawn to a recognisable scale normally not less than 1:100. 1:200 is permissible where the proposed building is extensive.
• Supporting calculations.
• Other additional relevant information.

How to apply

You'll need to visit Submit-a-Plan to make a building notice application. If you’re not registered you’ll need to do this first. It should only take a few minutes before you can get started. 

If you need to email us any supporting documents after you’ve submitted your application, please email these to buildingcontrol@barnsley.gov.uk quoting the site address.

Replacement doors and windows

You'll need to download the replacement window application and the supplementary information and provide these with your application for each building or premises to which this application relates.

• Replacement window, supplementary information
• Window style sheet

When you fill the form in you’ll need to upload:

• A location plan with the site highlighted in red and all adjoining roads and properties. The plan should be no less than 1:1250 scale and it should show the direction of north. This is required if the property can't be identified by a street name, number and postcode.

How to apply

You'll need to visit Submit-a-Plan to make a building notice application. If you’re not registered you’ll need to do this first. It should only take a few minutes before you can get started. 

If you need to email us any supporting documents after you’ve submitted your application (including the completed window style sheet), please email these to buildingcontrol@barnsley.gov.uk quoting the site address.

Electrical safety

Complete this form if the works are to be carried out by an installer who's not registered with a Part P Competent Persons Scheme Organisation.

When you fill the form in you’ll need to upload:

• A location plan with the site highlighted in red and all adjoining roads and properties. The plan should be no less than 1:1250 scale and for new housing, it should show the direction of north. This is required if the property can't be identified by a street name, number and postcode.

You may also need to provide copies of relevant documents, including:

• A copy of the qualification that shows the installer can issue the BS7671 installation certificate. The BS7671 Installation Certificate must be provided to Building Control following completion of the works and prior to requesting a completion inspection.
• Other additional relevant information.

How to apply

You'll need to visit Submit-a-Plan to make a building notice application. If you’re not registered you’ll need to do this first. It should only take a few minutes before you can get started. 

If you need to email us any supporting documents after you’ve submitted your application (including a copy of the qualification that shows the installer can issue the BS7671 installation certificate), please email these to buildingcontrol@barnsley.gov.uk quoting the site address.

Regularisation of unauthorised works 

In most cases we can inspect work that has been carried out and issue a regularisation certificate. Read more about unauthorised building work and how to apply to get your works approved.

Changes to the applicant, client, principal contractor or principal designer

If the details of the applicant, client, principal contractor or principal designer change at any time after summitting your application, the client is responsible for notifying the relevant authority about this. This form will be sent along with your acknowledgement letter.

Sharing your information

Where necessary, the information in your application may be shared with external organisations (eg Yorkshire Water, fire service, Environment Agency etc) to assist in determining your application.

The information may also be shared with other Barnsley Council services (eg Regulatory Services, Highways etc). See our privacy policy for more details.