Building Control ...
Applying for Building Regulations
- Introduction
- Drainage implications
- Planning
- Full Plans procedure
- Charge for Full Plans
- Building Notice procedure
- Important Notes
- Charges for Building Notice
Introduction
There are two choices of Building Regulation application available – you can choose either the Full Plans route or the Building Notice route. The following information is available to help you:
Full Plans submission – where the plans deposited are checked to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations. This system can be beneficial to you as well as finance lenders as an Approval Certificate for the plans and Completion Certificate for the site work are available proving the Local Authorities acceptance of the proposals.
Find out more about Full Plans submission choice
Building Notice –This application method is intended for small extensions and internal alterations to dwellings only. Detailed plans will not be required to be submitted for approval, however specific plans or calculations may be required to clarify certain parts of the construction. The work on site will be required to comply with the Building Regulations and a Completion Certificate will be available proving satisfactory compliance with the regulations.
Find out more about Building Notice choice
Drainage implications
Please note, if your proposed building is situated over or close to a public sewer (shown on Northumbria Water Authority public sewer records) - a Building Notice will not be acceptable and therefore a Full Plans application will therefore be necessary.
The sewer position and depth could affect the size, location and foundation design of your proposed building.
Please check whether your proposal will affect a public sewer by contacting either Northumbrian Water Ltd (external link) (Tel : 0191 4196680) or Contact Building Control prior to submitting your Building Regulation application.
Planning
Ensure your project has received formal Planning Permission (if required) – please check prior to commencing building work on site.
Check this by contacting North Tyneside Planning Department or via the Planning Portal.
Full Plans procedure
This is the most popular route our customers choose to follow.
The principal advantage of using this method is that once your plans have been approved your builder can work to those drawings without fear of contravening the regulations during the building process.
Your Building Regulation Approval certificate is valid for three years from initial submission date.
A Full Plans submission requires you to provide a detailed set of plans together with a specification of the materials to be used.
Information that generally be shown on the plan includes:
- Elevations
- Floor Layouts
- Detailed sectional views of the proposed construction
- Site location plan
- Adequate building specification details
- Drainage details
You may also need to submit calculations for:
- Structural members i.e. Steel beams/lintels
- Thermal insulation values
- Fire Safety items
The information will then be checked within 15 days of validation to ensure that the details given comply with Building Regulation requirements.
When we have checked your proposals we will either approve your application or notify you of any alterations that may be required to the plans. When these have been received and found to be satisfactory the plans will then be approved – this will be within 8 weeks of initial validation.
Important Notes
- You may submit the application yourself or employ an agent/architect to act for you. If an agent is employed all correspondence will be directed to him.
- The First name and Surname of both the applicant and agent are required on the relevant application form.
- Please print 'Building Control' and your address on the reverse of cheque
- Full postal address must be provided for both yourself and your agent to allow us to contact you – telephone/fax numbers and e-mail addresses are very helpful.
- The full postal address of the property where the development is to take place is also required.
- Site location plans MUST be provided with all non-residential and new housing applications.
- Please ensure that the application forms are SIGNED.
- For residential applications – two copies of all drawings/specifications are required.
- For commercial/industrial applications four copies.
Or apply online at Submit-a-plan.
Charge for Full Plans
A full plans deposit will involve you in a two- stage payment in accordance with our current scales of charges. The first charge is due when you initially submit your application for approval- this is known as the “Plan Charge”.
The second charge is payable when the Building Control Surveyor has made his first visit to site - this “Inspection Charge” is a one- off payment covering all future visits to the site.
Building Notice procedure
The Building Notice route is the alternative to the Full Plans route.
The fundamental difference between the two methods is that this route does not require the submission of detailed plans.
This system requires you to submit:-
- A Building Notice application form.
- A scaled site location plan
- Specific plans or calculations may be requested to clarify certain parts of the construction.
The Building Notice route does have some disadvantages:
- No Building Regulation Approval is given for the proposals - some financial institutions may require you to have evidence of approval in order to release funds.
- If you choose the Building Notice route then you should be sure that you have agreed what the builder will build and what is to be included in the price.
- It places emphasis on you and your builder to ensure the work complies with the Building Regulations.
Important Notes
- You may submit the application yourself or employ an agent/architect to act for you. If an agent is employed all correspondence will be directed to him.
- Please print 'Building Control' and your address on the reverse of cheque
- The First name and Surname of both the applicant and agent are required on the relevant application form.
- Full postal address must be provided for both yourself and your agent to allow us to contact you – telephone/fax numbers and e-mail addresses are very helpful.
- The full postal address of the property where the development is to take place is also required.
- Ensure that the application forms are SIGNED
Charges for building notice
Using this system only one fee is payable and this is made when you initially submit the application. Although only one payment is required the cost is identical to the accumulated fee described in the full plans route.
Please note:
You should be absolutely sure you are going to build your project as no refund or part refund is permitted once your Building Notice submission has been made.
View our current fees and charges.
