What is Building Control

The main purpose of the Building Regulations is to:

• Secure the health and safety of people in and around buildings.
• Promote conservation of energy.
• Provide access to buildings and facilities, for people of all abilities.

Building Regulations apply to many aspects of building work carried out to all types of properties, e. g. houses, shops, offices, factories, schools, hospitals and warehouses. They apply to minor works such as replacing windows and doors, removing an internal load-bearing wall, installing an additional toilet or converting the roof space to a room, as well as erecting new buildings and extending property. They may also apply when a property changes its use, e.g. from a house into flats.

Building Regulations approval is a separate matter from obtaining planning permission for your work. Similarly, receiving any planning permission which your work may require is not the same as taking action to ensure that it complies with the Building Regulations. For more information please refer to the Planning service 

The Building Control Section offers:

• A professional, impartial and publicly accountable service
• Pre-application advice given on compliance with the requirements of relevant legislation
• Extensive knowledge of materials and construction methods to assist you in your scheme
• Extensive knowledge of local conditions
• Acknowledgment of Full Plan Applications within 3 working days and check them within 5 weeks
• Acknowledgment of Building Notices within 1 working day
• Site inspections the same day if requested before 10:00am
• Inspections whenever requested, once work has commenced.

We fully support the various LABC schemes (such as the LABC partner authority scheme and LABC House Type Approval) and work with LABC and its commercial partners to promote awareness of the various added-value products that can be available to users of our service.

The LABC added value products include :-

‘LABC Warranty’ warranties for Residential & Commercial Developments (Tel :- 0845 054 0505, Email enquiries@labcwarranty.co.uk )

If you are having construction work or refurbishment work done, you may need to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and you may have other duties as well. To find out more -

www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/buildingcontrol.htm