How do I apply?

If your building work is subject to the Building Regulations the following options, below are available.

Either:
(i) The deposit of Full Plans;
or
(ii) The giving of a Building Notice (except for work where the building is to be put to a use designated under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 such as a shop, office, hotel, boarding house, or certain type of factory).

For a Full Plans application plans need to be produced showing all constructional details, preferably well in advance of your intended commencement on site. For the Building Notice procedure less detailed plans are required. In both these cases your application or notice should be submitted to the Local Authority and should be accompanied by any relevant structural calculations, i.e. to demonstrate compliance with safety requirements on the structure of the building. It is advisable that this be undertaken by a person competent to do so.

What are the factors that will influence my choice?

(i) a Full Plans application and

(ii) the Building Notice procedure.

(i) A Full Plans application will be thoroughly checked by the Local Authority who are required to pass or reject your plans within a certain time limit; or they may add conditions to an approval, with your written agreement. If they are satisfied that the work shown on the plans complies with the Regulations, you will be issued with an approval notice within a period of five weeks or up to two months if you agree to this. This will give you the protection of being able to show that your plans were approved as complying with the Building Regulations. If your plans are rejected, and you do not consider it is necessary to alter them you will have two options available to you:

a. you may seek a 'determination' from the Secretary of State if you believe your work complies with the Regulations but you should apply before work starts, or

b. if you acknowledge that your proposals do not necessarily comply with a particular requirement in the Regulations and feel that it is too onerous in your particular circumstances, you may apply for a relaxation or dispensation of that requirement from the Local Authority. You can make such an application at any stage but it is obviously sensible to do so as soon as possible and preferably before work starts. If the Local Authority refuses your application you may then appeal to the Secretary of State within a month of the date of receipt of the rejection notice.

(ii) Under the Building Notice procedure no approval notice is given. There is also no procedure to seek a determination from the Secretary of State if there is a disagreement between you and the Local Authority - unless plans are subsequently deposited. However, the advantage of the building notice procedure is that it will allow you to carry out works without the need to prepare full plans - e.g. for minor works. However, you must feel confident that the work will comply with the Regulations or you risk having to correct any work you carry out at the request of the Local Authority.

Can I apply online

• Submit-a-plan

Do I have to pay anything for the services of the Local Authority?

Yes. A charge is payable to the Local Authority for Full Plans and Building Notice applications and will be subject to VAT.

Is there any difference in cost between a Full Plans application and a Building Notice?

No. A Full Plans application involve a two-stage payment of charges - one which must be paid at the time you submit your plans (a 'plan charge'), and another following a first inspection on site (an 'inspection charge') but only if such an inspection takes place. A 'building notice charge' will amount to the same as would be payable for a Full Plans application plus a site inspection; and is payable when you give the notice to your Local Authority. Your Authority will be able to tell you the exact charges which will be payable by referring to their Scheme of charges

What will the Local Authority Do?

(i) Full Plans
If you use the Full Plans procedure, the Local Authority will check your plans and consult any appropriate authorities (such as fire and water authorities). If your plans comply with the Building Regulations you will receive a notice that they have been approved. If the Local Authority is not satisfied you may be asked to make amendments or provide more details. Alternatively, a conditional approval may be issued. This will either specify modifications, which must be made to the plans; or will specify further plans which must be deposited. A Local Authority may only apply conditions if you have either requested them to do so or have consented to them doing so. A request or consent must be made in writing. If your plans are rejected the reasons will be stated in the notice.

(ii) Building Notice
If you use the Building Notice procedure, as with Full Plans applications, the work will normally be inspected as it proceeds; but you will not receive any notice indicating whether your proposal has been passed or rejected. However, you will be advised where the work itself is found by the building control surveyor not to comply with the Regulations - see section 19(ii). If, before commencement or while work is in progress, the Local Authority requires further information such as structural design calculations of plans, you must supply the details requested.