Building Control - make an application

You can start work after you have submitted a Full Plans Application or Building Notice provided you give at least two days' notice.

You can choose to submit a Building Notice for all domestic work unless it involves building over or near a public sewer. A Full Plans Application provides the peace of mind that your plans are completely approved, and can be submitted for all work except replacement windows and electrical work to a domestic property. In these cases, you would use a Building Notice unless you hire an installer who is FENSA registered for your windows, or an electrician under the Local Authority Building Control Competent Persons Register.

You can notify us by telephone, email or in writing.  If requests for inspections are received by 10am, they are usually made the same day. An approval notice remains valid for three years from the date of deposit of plans.

You or your builder are required to notify the Building Control Officer at the following stages:

• Works to start 
• Excavations for concrete
• Foundation concrete
• Oversite concrete
• Damp-proof course and oversite concreted
• Soil and vent pipe under test
• Foul water drains
• Foul drains back filled and under test
• Surface water drains
• Occupation before completion
• Completion

This framework may not be appropriate to all types of work (for example, loft conversions). In order to provide the best service, the Building Control Officer may visit when other stages are reached.