Building control
If you are considering constructing a new building, extension or
undertaking alterations, Building Control is the Council service
that will assist you with your responsibility to comply with
building regulations.
Obtaining Building Regulation approval is a legal requirement,
which is a separate matter from obtaining Planning
Permission. Building Regulation Approval is required for the
majority of building projects and the regulations exist
to ensure that buildings are safe, energy efficient and
have reasonable access for all.
It is important to know that although building regulations and
planning permission seek to produce similar outcomes with respect
to the quality of building work, they are two different types of
approval. You may need both, or one or the other, so it is
important to check what is required before you start work.
You can contact us, using the contact details to the right,
about our services and service standards.
Search for planning or building applications
You can search for planning or building applications or browse
the register of all past and current applications including text
and maps. You can also see what stage your application has
reached.
Our role
The role of Building Control is to:
- Check plans to ensure work satisfies the standards of the
Building Regulations
- Inspect work on site as it progresses to ensure that buildings
are safe, energy efficient and have reasonable access for all.
- Enforce the Building Regulations
- Dealing with dangerous and dilapidated buildings
- Inspecting and arranging for the securing of empty properties
that are open to unauthorised access.
- Issuing, monitoring and enforcing the safety Certificate for
Spotland Stadium at Denehurst Park, Rochdale.
- Enforce the Building Regulations where standards are not
met, we will undertake enforcement action when it is in the
public interest. This is often a last resort and we
endeavour to assist people as much as possible in achieving
compliance with the regulations.
Site inspections should not be confused with full site
supervision of your work or continuous quality control, that should
be undertaken by your own private architect or surveyor
to make sure that the work is up to your
requirements.
Our team are happy to assist with any queries regarding aspects
of Building Regulations.
When do I need building regulations approval?
The following is a list of the most common proposals that
require approval, however if you are unsure please contact us, we
are pleased to help.
- The majority of house extensions
- New houses and apartments
- Conversions of buildings to houses or apartments
- Garage or outbuilding conversions to form a room
- Loft conversions
- Installation of roof lights or dormer windows
- Internal structural alterations, such as removal of a load
bearing wall or chimney breast.
- Some electrical work to domestic properties
- Internal plastering and re-rendering works where more than 25
per cent of the wall area is affected
- A new opening or widening of an opening in a load bearing
wall.
- Installing new baths, showers, sinks or toilets which involve
new drainage or waste plumbing
- Altering the position of a staircase
- Window and door replacement (Unless installed by FENSA, CERTASS
or BSI approved installer)
- Construction of new chimneys, flues or the replacement of flue
linings
- Underpinning of existing foundations
- Re-roofing
- Installation of a septic tank
- Cavity wall insulation
- Installation of new heating (other than electric and subject to
certain exceptions)
- The majority of work relating to non-domestic buildings, or
conversions to non domestic buildings
Some building work is exempt, please refer to guidance under
building regulations applications on the web site. You may
not need to submit a Building Regulation Application for certain
building work that can be self-certified as complying with the
regulations by people registered with Competent Person Schemes.
Why is the building control process important?
For most people the most valuable asset we possess, apart from
our family, is our home. Building Regulation Approval is a
legal requirement for most building work and you will be required
to produce copies of approvals if you are selling a property. This
information is an essential part of your Home Information
Pack, which is required for all house sales.
The regulations are becoming more complicated as the performance
demands of modern building work increases. For example, the
requirements for greater thermal and sound insulation properties
require a careful choice of materials. A hasty start to
work without an approved plan can lead to unnecessary and
expensive errors.
These regulations are for your protection so it makes sense to
benefit from the plan checking process of a Full Plans
Application.
Building control information and useful links
HSE
Website - If you are having construction or refurbishment work
done, you may need to notify the Health & Safety Executive
(HSE) and you may have other duties as well click this link to find
out more.
Planning Portal- Link to Planning Portal where building
regulations approved documents can be downloaded freely.
LABC
New Home Warranty - Link to webpage with further
information regarding 10 year warranty service available on new
homes.
Building control
handbook (375kb pdf file) - The handbook provides information
about building regulations and how to apply for approval.
Accessibility by
design, a standard guide (835kb pdf file) - The purpose of the
guide is to assist with the interpretation of part M of the
Building Regulations 2004 and takes a practical approach to
inclusive design.
Guide to Approved
Document L1 B (64kb pdf file) - Information and examples on how
to comply with the new provisions coming into effect October
2010.
Guide to Approved Document M for dwellings and Lifetime
Homes (1.66mb pdf file) - Information and examples on
how to comply with the requirements.
Guide to Approved
Document F (113kb pdf file) - Ventilation requirements
effective from October 2010.
Guide to Approved
Document J (232kb pdf file) - Overview of combustion appliance
requirements effective from October 2010.