How to apply for building regulations approval

Where to apply, what you need to include, and the process after we've received your application.

Changes to building regulations

From October 1 2023, there have been some changes to building regulations and what is required when applying for building control. 

Find full details about the building regulations changes.

Submitting your application

  1. Choose which type of application you need to make.
  2. Gather the relevant information.
  3. If you are carrying out internal alterations, include the estimated cost of your building works in your application. This will tell us how much your application fees will be.
  4. Submit your application on the Submit-A-Plan website.
  5. After you submit your application, we will check it and contact you if we need any further information.

The process is different from this point, depending on which type of application you make.

Building Notice - after we've checked your application

  1. You need to submit your Building Notice application at least 2 working days before you intent to start building work.
  2. We will then contact you about how to pay your fees.
  3. When your application has been checked and you have paid the fee, we'll send you an acknowledgment letter. In it we'll outline the stages of work we need to inspect.
  4. When your building work is ready to be inspected, book an inspection. You can do this once you receive the acknowledgement letter.
  5. A building control surveyor will visit your site and inspect the work.
  6. They will either approve the work while on site or advise if you need to do more work to meet building regulations.
  7. If further work is needed, our Building Control Surveyor will return for another inspection.
  8. When all the work is finished and the Building Control Surveyor is satisfied that it meets building regulations, we will issue a certificate of completion.

Full Plans - after your application has been checked

  1. We will contact you about paying your fees - at this point you will pay the first fee, your Plan Charge.
  2. When your application has been checked and you have paid the fee, we'll send you an acknowledgment letter. In it will be an 'inspection template’ outlining the stages of work that require inspection by us.
  3. Your plans will then be sent to our plan checking officer for approval.
  4. Your plans will either be approved, approved with conditions, or rejected. We will confirm this by email or post within 5 to 8 weeks.
You should not start work until your plans have been approved or approved with conditions.
  1. After you get approval, you will need to tell us the date on which you intend to start the work.
  2. When your work is ready to be inspected,book an inspection.
  3. A building control surveyor will visit your site and inspect the work.
  4. After the first inspection, you will be invoiced for the second fee, the Full Plans Inspection Charge.
  5. They will either pass the work while on site or advise if you need to do more work to meet building regulations.
  6. Our surveyor will return to the site for further inspections as necessary.
  7. When all the work is complete and our building control surveyor is satisfied that it meets building regulations, we will issue a certificate of completion.

Submitting a hard copy application

If you can't apply online for any reason, or prefer to make a hard copy application, please contact us on 01273 292 222.

Hard copy applications will cost a further £25.50, which we will add to your application fee.