Application Forms and Fees

Where Building Regulations are applicable to your building works you have two options available, either Full  Plans or Building Notice type applications.  Please note that fee forms must be completed and returned at the time of deposit with the appropriate fee in order for the application to be valid.

1. Full Plans

A full plans application can be used for all types of building works.  You will need to submit the following:

• 1 copy of a completed full plans application form and fee form with a cheque for the appropriate fee.
• 2 copies of detailed scaled drawings including site/location plan with, where necessary, associated structural calculations; and detailed written specification of the construction for residential properties. 
• NB: Two additional copies of the plans and details will be required if it is a commercial premises.

An Approval Notice will be issued when the plans are considered to comply with the Building Regulations.  It is advisable not to start any works until you have received the Approval Notice.

If the statutory inspections are carried out, (see Inspection Request ) and the works comply with the Building Regulations (which they should do if the approved plans are followed) you will be issued with a Completion Certificate following the final inspection.

The full plans procedure must be used if the building is:

• a workplace under Part II of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997;
• is to be put to a designated use section 1 of the Fire Precautions Act 1971;
• to be erected fronting on to a private street; or
• to be erected over a sewer

Please click here to obtain a Full Plans Application Form in pdf format.

Please click here to obtain a fee form (BC1) in pdf format.

Please click here to obtain a fee form for multiple dwellings only (BC2) in pdf format.

From the 1st December 2008 please use the following fee forms, due to the VAT rate changing:

Please click here to obtain a fee form (BC1) in pdf format.

Please click here to obtain a fee form for multiple dwellings only (BC2) in pdf format.

2. Building Notice

The Building Notice procedure is designed to be used when those responsible for carrying out the building work are capable of doing so in compliance with the Building Regulations without the benefit of detailed plans and specification.

A Building Notice cannot be used if you intend to erect a building fronting on to a private street (both'fronting' and 'private' are defined in the Highway Act 1980).

You will need to submit the following:

• 1 copy of a completed building notice application form and fee form with a cheque for the appropriate fee.
• Plans and calculations may be required to establish compliance with the regulations.

Please click here to obtain a Building Notice Application Form in pdf format.

Please click here to obtain a fee form (BC1) in pdf format.

From the 1st December 2008 please use the following fee forms, due to the VAT rate changing:

Please click here to obtain a fee form (BC1) in pdf format.

3. Regularisation

The Regularisation procedure allows the Local Authority to check and if appropriate accept building works which have been carried out and completed without the submission of plans and giving of notice, contravening the requirements of the Building Act and the Building Regulations.

This power does not replace the enforcement powers already available to the local authority and does not provide a short cut for those who failed to follow the correct procedure.

It is important to note that an owner is under no obligation to make a application for a Regularisation Certificate; equally, the Council is under no obligation to accept it.  An application for a Certificate can relate only to completed work.

An application form and fee form can be obtained from the Council and this is completed and submitted to the Council together with drawings and plans for the building work and fee.

However, in order to assess whether compliance with Building Regulations has been achieved, the Council can also ask the applicant to 'open up' work, requiring a reasonable level of co-operation between the applicant and the Council.

An application for a Regularisation Certificate can only be made where:

• The work commenced after 11 November 1985
• The work came within the scope of Regulations, and
• No application was made at the time, or prior to the building work being carried out.

Before a Certificate can be issued the Council must be reasonable satisfied that the works conform to the Building Regulations and that there is no risk to the health and safety of persons in or around the property.

The Council may then:

• Say whether additional works are required to meet Building Regulation standards, or
• Issue a Certificate indicating that the unauthorised works are in compliance with the Building Regulation standards.

Please click here to obtain a Regularisation Certificate Application form in pdf format.

Please click here to obtain a fee form (BC1) in pdf format.

From the 1st December 2008 please use the following fee forms, due to the VAT rate changing:

Please click here to obtain a fee form (BC1) in pdf format.

4. Exempt Buildings and Work

The following list outlines the more common types of building work, which are exempt from the requirements of the Building Regulations.

Detached Buildings

A detached single storey building, having a floor area which does not exceed 30m squared, which contains no sleeping accommodation and is a building no point of which is less than 1 metre from the boundary of its curtilage; or is constructed substantially of non-combustible material.

A detached building having a floor area which does not exceed 15m squared, which contains no sleeping accommodation.

Extensions

The extension of a building by the addition at ground floor level of -

• a conservatory, porch, covered yard or covered way; or
• a carport open on at least two sides; where the floor area of that extension does not exceed 30m squared, provided that in the case of a conservatory or porch which is wholly or partly glazed, the glazing satisfies the requirements of Part N of Schedule 1 (Glazing - materials and protection).

Please note that works exempt from the Building Regulations may still require Planning Permission.  Should you be in doubt you are advised to contact our Development Control team.

Please click here to obtain an Exempt Building Enquiry Form (BC15) in pdf format.