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Building control approval is required for most building work to make sure it meets standards for safety, health, energy efficiency and accessibility.
Building regulations set the legal standards for the design and construction of buildings.
Most types of building work need building control approval.
Building control approval is different from planning permission and you might need both.
When approval is needed
all new buildings except agricultural buildings
garages that are not fully detached and under 30 square metres.
all extensions no matter how small
some conservatories and porches - many are exempt but these must be separated from the house by doors and can’t be heated
roof extensions, balconies and roof terraces
basements and basement extensions.
all loft conversions, roof extensions, balconies and roof terraces
all garage conversions
barn conversions
subdividing a house into flats
converting flats back into a house.
creating a ‘granny annexe’
creating a new or ensuite bathroom or cloakroom
installing a new kitchen
taking out a loadbearing wall – you need to ask a structural engineer to confirm that your wall isn’t supporting the walls, floors or roof above it
taking out a non-loadbearing wall if it separates a room from your hall, staircase or landing
new installation or replacement of a heating system or any boiler, regardless of fuel type
new installation or replacement of an oil tank
installation of a new bathroom if existing plumbing is altered or if new plumbing is installed
installation of fixed air conditioning systems
installation of additional radiators to some existing heating systems
replacement fuse boxes, any new electrical installation connected to the fuse box and alterations to electrical installations in bathrooms around the bath or shower replacement window and door units
installing roof lights
making windows or doors wider or taller
replacement of roof coverings on pitched and flat roofs even if this is just like for like
replacing your floor.
Some alterations may not need building control approval if you are using a registered installer under the competent person scheme.
You'll find out more information under 'When approval is not needed' further down this page.
If you want to demolish a building bigger than 50 cubic metres, you must give us six weeks' notice.
We may inspect the building before it is demolished. We will then send a notice to the person responsible, specifying certain works which must be carried out. This could include disconnecting, sealing or removing drains, making exposed walls safe and weather‑proof, and clearing away demolition waste so the site is level and not dangerous. If this work is not done properly, we can do it ourselves and charge for the cost.
Some work can be carried out without informing the building control team if you're using a registered installer from a competent person scheme.
A competent person scheme allows approved tradespeople to self‑certify certain types of building work as compliant with the building regulations, without needing approval from us.
This work includes:
new installation or replacement of a heating system or any boiler, regardless of fuel type
new installation or replacement of an oil tank
installation of fixed air conditioning systems
replacement fuse boxes, any new electrical installation connected to the fuse box and alterations to electrical installations in bathrooms around the bath or shower replacement window and door units.
If you're not using a competent person scheme, then you need to apply for building control approval.
There are two types of application, Building Notice and Full Plans application. You can also apply for approval after work has been carried out (known as regularisation).
We must see that building work complies with building regulations. If the work does not comply, you may be asked to alter or remove it.
If you fail to do this, we may serve a notice requiring you to do so or could take court action resulting in a fine (and in some cases a continuing daily penalty).
You can apply retrospectively for work that has already been done. This is called a regularisation application.
Work can only be regularised if the work was carried out after 11 November 1985.
Depending on the nature of the work, you may be required to uncover certain elements that have been covered up.
