Building Regulations - Apply for Approval

Please note: Building Control apologise but surveyors will not be able to answer technical queries either by phone or in person on Friday, 18 June from 1500.

Not every building job requires Building Regulations consent, so you should first find out whether it is necessary.

If it is then for most building projects you have two possible ways of applying for Building Regulation consent:

• the 'Full Building Plans' option or
• the 'Building Notice' option.

Each procedure has different merits, but whichever one you choose, the charges are the same. If you have any questions about Building Regulations, or want to ask about the best procedure for your building project, please call Customer Services.

Whichever option you choose you can normally start work 48 hours after depositing the details. Our Building Control team will carry out inspections, so it is important for either you or your builder to notify us as work proceeds.

If you need to obtain Building Regulations consent for work that has already been done, please go to Building Regulations - Regularisation Certificate.

Please remember that we can only deal with applications that relate to building work within the Mendip District. For other work you will need to apply to the appropriate local authority.

Do You Need Building Regulations Approval?

The table below should help you to decide if you need Building Regulations approval for your project.

Project	Decision
Change of use	Call Customer Services
New building	Needs approval
Extensions and alterations	May need approval: call Customer Services
Erecting a special and temporary structure	Does not need approval (but needs Council consent)
Providing, extending or altering a controlled service	May need approval: call Customer Services

For more detailed information, see Building Regulations - exempt buildings

Which Will You Choose?

If you have decided that your work does require approval, and the building needs consent under the Fire Precautions Act, then you must choose the 'Full Plans' option. This generally means that work relating to offices, shops, factories and public buildings or anywhere people are employed cannot be carried out under a Building Notice.

For smaller projects like bathroom installations, minor structural alterations and domestic extensions you can, if you wish, choose the 'Building Notice' option.

The 'Full Building Plans' Option

This option involves producing scaled drawings that clearly denote construction details and (where necessary) structural calculations. You need to submit:

• two sets of full building plans (four if the building is designated under the Fire Precautions act)
• a blue Full Building Plans Form and payment for a plan examination charge (the Council is obliged, by law, to make this charge)

Once work has begun we will send you an invoice for the inspection charge. See Building Regulation Charges for charges information.

When these details are deposited they are checked by the Building Control Surveyor. Any queries are sent to you or your agent, and once these have been resolved the Surveyor will issue an approval.

The 'Building Notice' Option

With this option there is no need to submit detailed building plans. Simply submit:

• a site location plan (showing where your property is)
• a pink Building Notice Form
• full payment (sent with the application).

See Building Regulation Charges for charges information.

If the work involves an extension or a new building then a site plan is necessary. Under this option the Council can ask for further information on the construction at any time.

No formal approval is given on a Building Notice, and you will not receive the protection afforded by detailed, approved plans. If you are in doubt, please discuss this with a member of the Building Control team.

Completion Certificates

Providing that each stage of inspection has been notified to the Council and the Building Control Surveyor is satisfied that the work complies with the Building Regulations, a 'Completion Certificate' will be issued; this certificate is your assurance that the work complies with the Building Regulations.

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Last Updated

17 June 2010

Page last updated on 17 June 2010