How to make an application

How many forms do I need to fill in?

Before carrying out building work you or your agent must send in either:

• a Full Plans submission, or
• a Building Notice submission

A Full Plans submission

You need the following when making a Full Plans submission:

One copy of 'Full Plans' application form. Please make sure you sign the relevant items.

• Two copies of detailed plans (3 copies when the premises are to be put to designated use under the Fire Precautions Act 1971, i.e. offices, shops, factories, boarding houses and hotels).
• A site or location plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1:1250 showing the proposal, the site boundaries and the position of the public sewers, where necessary.
• The Building Control charges (a Guidance Note on charges is available from the Planning Department) for this option are required in two stages. A charge is payable on submission (Plan Charge) and a further charge after the first inspection (Inspection Charge). An invoice for the Inspection charge will be sent to the applicant.
• The Inspection Charge is payable on a Full Plans submission after the first inspection. The inspection charge is a one off payment irrespective of the number of visits made by the Building Control Officer. The invoice will be issued to the person having the work carried out e.g. The Applicant even if you have agreed alternative payment arrangements with your agent or builder.

Methods of paying the inspection charge are given on the invoice, should you require any further assistance please contact the Building Control Administration Officer.

A Building Notice submission

You need the following when making a Building Notice submission:

One copy of the 'Building Notice' form.

• If the proposal is for a new building or an extension, the notice should contain a site plan drawn to scale of not less than 1:1250 showing the proposed site boundaries and the position of the public sewers, where necessary.
• The Building Control charge (a Guidance Note on charges is available from the Planning Department) for this option must be paid in full when you deposit your submission, - i.e. the Plan charge and the Inspection charge.

The option of giving a building notice is not available where a building is to be put to a use subject to the Fire Precautions Act 1971, or will be a workplace subject to the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997

Any plans deposited with the Building Notice will not be approved under the Building Regulations. They will be used for information purposes only. Additional plans and other particulars may be needed to show the work meets the Building Regulations.

A Regularisation application

Regularisation applications were introduced on 1 October 1994 and can be used for any type of work carried out illegally on or after 11th November 1985.

You will need the following when making a Regularisation submission:

• One copy of the ‘Regularisation’ application form.
• The Building Control charge payable for a Regularisation Certificate is 120% of the gross building notice charge which would be payable (a guidance note on charges is available from the Planning Department).
• Two copies of detailed plans/structural calculations showing works undertaken, and, any additional work required to secure compliance of the unauthorised work with the requirements of Building Regulations (applicable at the time the initial works were undertaken).
• A site or location plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1:1250 showing the proposal, the site boundaries and the position of the public sewers where necessary.

When we receive a regularisation application, we may require the applicant to take steps, including submitting details, exposing work, testing or sampling, as appropriate, to ascertain what work is necessary to ensure compliance with the Regulations.

Do I need plans drawn up?

It is advisable to have plans drawn up whenever you build or extend, but it is not mandatory. The plans are examined by a Building Control Officer who will advise you of any changes that may be needed to meet the Building Regulations. Once the plans are satisfactory, a formal decision notice of approval and a certified copy of the plan(s) will be issued and we will tell you how to arrange inspection of the work by the Building Control Officer.