What is the difference between planning permission and building regulations permission?
Building regulations permission is entirely separate from planning permission. Planning permission does not give you building regulations permission (nor does building regulations permission give you planning permission).
It is your responsibility to find out what permissions you need. If you are in any doubt, please ask us. We are here to offer free guidance.
Further information is available on the Planning Portal website:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/buildingregs/
Building control
Introduction
If you are reading this page you are probably considering undertaking some building work. The following text should help to guide you through the Building Control process involved. It is not meant to be a comprehensive guide to the full extent of Building Regulations, which you may have to comply with; rather it is intended to address some of your more obvious concerns and to give an appreciation of the procedures you will be required to follow in order to gain approval.
It also gives an insight into the role of Building Control in this process.
Firstly, it should be made clear at the beginning that it is the responsibility of those carrying out Building work to ensure that the provisions of the regulations are fully met. The role of Building Control in enforcing the regulations is solely to check that they do so.
Building Regulations are the minimum standards that your building work must comply with. They don’t control everything but concentrate on health and safety, energy conservation, and access to and use of buildings. Other aspects such as the general quality of work are not specifically controlled by building control. You should also be aware that the ‘utility supplies’ e.g. - gas, electric and water are not covered. These are subject to the regulations applied by the relevant supply companies.
The Building Regulations are basic performance standards. The level of safety and standards acceptable are set out as guidance in the Approved Documents. Compliance with the detailed guidance of the Approved Documents is usually considered evidence that the Regulations themselves have been complied with. However, alternate ways of achieving the same level of health, safety, energy efficiency or accessibility, are also acceptable.
The Approved Documents consist of the following parts:
A – Structure
B – Fire Safety
Volume 1 - Domestic
Volume 2 - Non Domestic
C – Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture
D – Toxic Substances (D1 Cavity insulation)
E – Resistance to the passage of sound
F – Ventilation
G – Hygiene
H – Drainage and waste
J – Combustion appliance and fuel storage systems
K – Protection from falling, collision and impact
L – Conservation of fuel and power:
L1A - in new dwellings
L1B - in existing dwellings
L2A - in new buildings other than dwellings
L2B - in existing buildings other than dwellings
M – Access to and use of buildings
N – Glazing
P – Electrical safety – Domestic work Best Practice Guide : Electrical Industry Best Practice Guides
Building Regulation Legislation, Approved Documents and Guidance is free to view and download via www.planningportal.gov.uk
What do you want to do?
- Find out whether you need Building Regulations Approval
- How to Apply for Building Regulations Approval
- Something else? Please use the menu on the left
Contact details
South Derbyshire District Council
Building Control Services
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH
Tel: 01283 228757
Fax: 01283 595850
Online: contact form
email: building.control@south-derbys.gov.uk
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