Building control

If you want to construct, extend or alter a dwelling or a building that is a workplace, it is likely that you will need to make an application under the Building Regulations but some types of building works are exempt. 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.

• Search for planning or building applications

Our Building Control Service processes the applications and carries out inspections to ensure that building work satisfies the standards set by the Building Regulations. This means assessing proposed work to ensure compliance and inspecting work on site as it progresses at certain stages to ensure that buildings are safe, energy efficient and have reasonable access for all.

The team provide guidance and advice on all matters relating to building regulations including:

• Guidance
• Exemptions
• Applications
• Fees
• Site inspections
• Contacts
• Other service
• Access for people with disabilities
• Sources of advice

If you are considering erecting a new building, having an 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 the health and safety of people in and around all types of buildings (domestic, commercial and industrial).  They also provide for energy conservation and access to and use of buildings.

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.

The Core Business

The 'core business' of Building Control is the approval of detailed plans for the building work and the subsequent inspection of that work at key stages on site as the work progresses to determine whether building regulations are being complied with. 

This 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 standard.  The Council also has a statutory duty to enforce building regulations therefore the service will undertake enforcement action when it is in the public interest.  This is often a last resort and the service endeavours to assist people as much as possible in achieving compliance with the regulations.

Building Control also undertakes other important duties which include:

• 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.

When do I need building regulations approval?

You will need building regulation approval when you:

• Erect a new building or extend an existing one
• Make a structural alteration for example remove a load bearing wall or form a new doorway or window opening
• Change the use of the building, this includes:  a flat, a dwelling, a hotel or boarding house, an institutional building, a public building, a shop        
• Alter the internal layout or access arrangements to a building
• Convert your loft space into a useable room
• Install or alter fuel burning appliances. flues and chimneys (some registered installers do not need to notify the Council)
• Any work that involves new drainage or changing your existing drainage
• From January 2005 altering or extending the fixed electrical installation in you house, including external wiring

One of the main objectives of building regulations is energy conservation and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.  Therefore when certain improvement work is undertaken to your house you will also be required to submit a Building Regulation Application to demonstrate that you will, where necessary, upgrade the thermal insulation properties of your building.  These circumstances include:

• From 1 April 2002 the replacement of any window frames and substantially glazed doors (some installers are exempt from notifying the Council)
• From 6 April 2006 building work undertaken to renovate a thermal element.  In practical terms this means things such as re-slating or re-tiling your roof, replacing or renewing external render.  Replastering internal walls, where this is more than 25 per cent of the wall.

Some building work is exempt.  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 property. Building work can be expensive and constitutes a significant investment. 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 will form an essential part of your Home Information Pack, which will be required for house sales from mid 2007.

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 commencement without an approved plan can lead to unnecessary and expensive errors.

Building Regulations concentrate on minimum standards of health and safety, provide for energy conservation, and access to and use of buildings. These regulations are for your protection so it makes sense to benefit from the plan checking process of a Full Plans Application.

Building control general information

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.