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How to apply for building regulations approval

There are two ways you can choose when making your Building Regulation submissions:

Full Plans application

This method is suitable for all types of building work and it will be necessary to provide the following details:

  • Two copies of drawings for the proposed work showing full details of construction and materials to be used, drawn at a scale of 1:50 and not less than 1:100. Drawings should include plans, section and elevations of the work as existing and as proposed.  An example of a typical plan can be seen by clicking on the link at the below. 
  • Two copies of a site location plan to a scale of not less than 1:1250 indicating site boundaries.
  • Two completed copies of full Plans Building Regulation application forms and the correct plan fee for the work.
  • A Building Control Surveyor will then check the application to ensure the proposed works comply with the Building Regulations and any other associated legislation.
  • A further inspection fee will be charged when work commences on site.

Three copies are required if the application relates to a non-domestic building

Building Notice

If you are confident that you do not require your plans checked by our surveyors you have the option of choosing the Building Notice route. This should only be used when works are minor in nature and only for domestic properties. The builder is expected to have a detailed understanding of the building regulations to use this method of application. It will be necessary to provide the following details:-

  • The completed Building Notice Application form.
  • A site location plan to a scale of not less than 1:1250.
  • The relevant complete fee

Once these have been accepted by the authority, you are legally entitled to commence work, 48 hours after deposit.

IMPORTANT: Please note that if the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to the premises then the Building Notice Procedure CANNOT be used and a Full Plans Application must be made.

Regularisation

In some cases, where work has been carried out without approval, providing this occurred on or after 11 November 1985, it may be possible to apply for retrospective approval known as Regularisation.

This involves submission of plans detailing all the work undertaken and will require subsequent uncovering of work at the property to regularise the works. For further information please refer to the Building Control Handbook.

When to pay

The fee for a full plans application is usually payable in two parts (apart from some minor works and small extensions).  The first part is payable upon submission of the application, and the second part is invoiced for after the first inspection by our building control officers.

Fees for a building notice or regularisation application are payable upon submission.

Application forms

Paper copies of application forms are available from our reception at:

Floor 1, Telegraph House, Baillie Street, Rochdale, OL16 1JH.

Fee leaflets

Fees increased to refect the change in the vat rate to 20% this took effect on 4th January 2011. Curent fees are as below. 

Apply electronically

It is now posiible to submit an application electronically by emailing building.control@rochdale.gov.uk

To use this method we require:

  • completed application forms 
  • pdf version of project drawings to scale.
  • fee payment made using the procedure below.

Fee payments

Please contact 01706 924325 to agree the relevant fee.  Fees can be paid by phoning the contact centre on 0845 121 7673. When speaking to the contact centre please state that you wish to make a building control new application payment and state the address of the property the fees relate to.

Fees can be made by VIsa, Mastercard, Solo, Visa Delta, Visa Elextron and Maestro.  Please note credit card payments will include a 1.75% administration charge.

Alternatively fees may also be paid by cheque or cash at our offices.

When can I start work?

Once you have deposited an application, being either a Full Plans application or a Building Notice, providing you give Building Control 48 hours notice. You must still notify Building Control at inspection stages

With respect to a Full Plans application you will be starting work at your own risk until your plans have been approved. If your building work does not comply with the regulations you will be required to alter it, which may lead to considerable wasted time and cost in some cases.

We strongly recommend that you obtain full approval prior to commencing work.