Building Regulations (Application Types)

Applications

There are a number of ways of making a Building Regulation application. You could:-

• deposit a Full Plans application
• submit a Building Notice
• submit a R egularisation application
• use a Competent Person (depends on the work involved)

S ubmitting or depositing an application is defined by both the Building Act 1984 and the Building Regulations 2010 , t h e r e f o r e s t r i c t t i m e l i m i t s e x i s t a n d b o t h t h e a p p l i c a n t a n d t h e a u t o r i t y h a v e t o f o l l o w c e r t a i n p r o c e d u r e s .

Full Plans Application

Firstly, this is not a Planning application, the name refers to the fact that you will be depositing with the authority full plans showing the extent of the work, together with a specification of all the materials etc to be used. The plans must show floor plans, elevations, sections (where relevant) and be to a recogniseable scale. There should also be a technical specification covering all of the work detailing complaince with the Building Regulations. It is common practice to annotate the drawings with the appropriate notes or some prefer to provide a seperate, typed dopcument.

Once you have completed your drawings you can either make a "paper" application or if you have produced your drawings electronically, you can make the application via Submit-a-Plan which is LABC's own electronic submission system.

When you send us a paper submission, you must send us two copies of the plans (for work to dwellings only) or 4 copies (all other projects), a completed and signed Full Plans application form, a site plan, and the relevant application fee.

Please note that when you make an application the details, including any plans, may be made publically accessible via our online 'public access' system. We will of course exclude any personal data such as signatures.

Building Notice

A Building Notice is a relatively simple form of application comprising an application form, Building Notice fee, and a site plan. We strongly recommend that you only use Building Notices for relatively simply work, and not for large or complex extensions, loft conversions, new dwellings etc. You cannot legally submit a Building Notice if the following apply:-

• The building work (extension or new build) is within 3m or 5m (depends on size and depth of pipe) of a sewer shown on the water companies map of public sewers. This is because we have to formally consult with Severn Trent Water Ltd.
• The building is subject to the Fire Safety Regulatory Reform Order e.g. commercial premises, common parts of flats such as stairwells, access corridors etc.
• The erection of a new dwelling which fronts a private street.

Please note that the legislation allows us to request plans or further information. We therefore require plans to be submitted for large extensions (greater than 40m2 in total floor area), and loft conversions. Where structural openings are created or beams/columns are to be used, then these should be designed to an appropriate standard and be supported by calculations.

Please note that following the transfer of drains and sewers to the water companies on the 1st October 2011, we will continue to accept Building Notices provided the sewer is not shwon on the water companies 'map of sewers'. Where a sewer is found on site that may now be a public sewer, you must contact Severn Trent Water Ltd direct.

Regularisation

It is an offence to carryout building work without first making an appropriate application, the consequence of this is that the authority may take enforcement action under Section 35 of the Building Act 1984. However, where work has already taken place, or substantially started you can Regularise the project i.e. make a retrospective application. You will need to send us a completed Regularisation form, fee, and any associated plans and specification. We will then contact you to arrange for elements of the work to be exposed. The law currently requires us to charge 20% more for this type of application however no VAT is payable.

Competent Person Schemes

Certain works such as eletrical alterations, installation of gas, solid fuel, or oil appliances, ventilation systems, etc can be self certified by a competent person provided that person is regeistered on one of the many governement approved schemes. A full list of the current competent person schemes can be found at www.communities.gov.uk

You can use a competent person either simply for the work that they are authorised to carry out, or qs part of a large scheme such as an extension.

Whilst there is no legal obligation to use a competent person (except work on a gas system must be undertaken by a Gas Safe registered plumber), we would strongly advise that you only appoint people or orgainsations that are registered, especially where the work relates to Part P (Electrical Safety).

Note: Public Sewers

The prescence of a Public Sewers affects all types of application, to minimise delay and inconvenience it is good practice to check with Severn Trent Water Ltd before submitting or depositing an application. You can contact Severn Trent Water Ltd direct on 0116 234 3834, or we hold paper copies of Severn Trent Water Ltd's sewer maps which you can come in and look at for free (please note that Severn Trent Water Ltd will not allow us to copy any of the data). To view the maps please speak to our customer services team on 01530 454545.