Building control

How to apply

We have several online application forms so you can choose the right one for the type of work you're undertaking.

A full plans application must be made where:

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

The forms can be completed by the applicant/owner, an agent or a builder/electrician. If an agent completes the form, any response from Building Control will be sent to them using the contact details provided.

Learn more about the different types of application and how to apply online.

Building control approval with full plans

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

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. 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.

You'll need to visit DataSpace Live 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.

You'll need to visit DataSpace Live 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.

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.

You'll need to visit DataSpace Live to make a Building Notice application for replacement windows and doors. 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.

You'll need to visit DataSpace Live to make a Building Notice application for electrical safety. 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 

Complete the regularisation of unauthorised works form for works carried out after 11 November 1985. Please contact us regarding works before this date.

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 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 building was extensive. Plans should show any additional work required to be carried out to ensure that the unauthorised work complies with the requirements of the building regulations which were applicable to that work when it was carried out. They should also show compliance with fire safety requirements if the Fire Safety Order 2005 applies, or will apply after the completion of the building work.
  • Supporting calculations.
  • A copy of the qualification that shows the installer could issue the BS7671 installation certificate and the BS7671 installation certificate where possible.
  • Other additional relevant information.

You'll need to visit DataSpace Live to make a Regularisation Certificate 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.

 

 

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). Our privacy policy provides further details.

Fees and charges

There's a fee for most applications. Please see our current 2023 building regulation fees and charges.

Please note that our fees and charges will be changing for all applications received on and after 6 April 2024. Please see our 2024 building regulation fees and charges for details.

You can pay for your application online. Please select ‘building control fees’ in the ‘payment type' field and make sure to input your application number (if known) or the site address in the 'application number or site address' field. When your payment is made, please make a note of your transaction/payment reference.

If you're paying a Building Control invoice, please choose the 'invoices starting 3 or 9' option from the ‘payment type’ field.

You can also pay by card by calling (01226) 772678 or (01226) 772679. Our lines are open 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). Please have your payment card to hand when you call. If you have an email address, let us know at the end of the transaction. This is so we can email you a receipt.