About building control

Planning Control and Building Control are two entirely separate pieces of building law, and require separate applications.

Planning control

The Planning Act deals with the correct use of the land, the appearance of the proposed building and the effect that the development will have on the general environment and neighbouring properties.

Building Regulations deal with the way that the building is constructed e.g. structural stability, fire resistance, weather resistance etc.

• Electrical installations to dwellings

The above is for guidance and is not an exhaustive list. Further advice should also be sought from the Building Control team

• Contact the Building Control team

How does the building control system work?

Building control generally operates as a two-stage process, involving the planning stage and the inspection stage.

The first stage (known as the plan stage) involves the applicant submitting a Building Regulation application either in the form of a Building Notice or a Full Plans application. The application will be examined by a Building Control Surveyor to ensure that the submitted information fully complies with the requirements of the Building Regulations.

The second stage (inspection stage) starts when work commences on site. Following notification by the client or their builder, a series of site inspection visits are made to check that the works on site are also carried out in compliance with the Building Regulations.

What are Building Regulations?

Building Regulations impose a set of minimum standards on people carrying out certain specified works in or about buildings. They are primarily for the purposes of public health and safety, the conservation of fuel and power and the access and use of buildings.

Building Control ensures, through the checking of plans and the inspection of work, that these requirements are met.