You need Building Regulations Approval for most building work involving extensions and new building.
The regulations are made under the Buildings Act 1994. These Regulations are continuously updated.

• Building regulations
• Types of approval
• Full plans applications

CAMPBELLS Plan Drawing & Building Services will make the application for Building Regulations Approval on your behalf. Detailed drawings showing how the structure is put together are provided to the Building Inspector for approval.
The Building Inspector requires a deposit payment to be made. The Inspector will check compliance with the regulations and within 6 to 8 weeks will either approve the plans or approve them subject to conditions. The Inspector provides a set of notices that you or your builder must send in at various stages of the work. When the work is complete, the Inspector issues a completion certificate, useful for when you later sell the property.

Building notice
You can gain Building Regulations Approval by using this simpler procedure. You pay the combined plan and inspection fee up front. There are no 'approved' plans for you to use when you sell the property or engage a builder.

Building works
Most work, including demolition, requires Building Regulations Approval.
Some types of work are exempt, for example buildings which are used as a domestic greenhouse, some extensions of up to 30 square metres, which are greenhouses, conservatories, porches, covered yards or carports
For full details, however, you should contact your local authority Building Control Department or contact us for more info.

Features controlled by building regulations:

• The structure - For loading, ground movement and stability
• Site preparation resistance to moisture - Resistance to weather and ground moisture - to avoid penetrating and rising damp
• Sound - Insulation from airborne and impact sound and to reduce the nuisance transmission of sound
• Hygiene - Bathrooms and washing facilities
• Heating - Safety of and air supply to and discharge from heating appliances
• Insulation - To conserve fuel and power
• Glazing - Reducing the risk of injury
• Fire safety - Means of escape, fire spread and access for the fire service
• Toxic substances - Deals with cavity insulation
• Ventilation - Ventilation of living space and roofs to combat condensation
• Drainage - Foul water and rainwater disposal
• Stairs - Safety and design of stairs, ramps and guards
• Disabled persons - Access and facilities for the disabled

Party Wall Act 1996
The government of the time brought in legislation to protect "neighbours" from the consequences of any work done on their boundary by others - people such as our clients who are doing building work. This work could cause nuisance, annoyance, and indeed damage to the neighbour's property.
Essentially you have to give a written notice of your intention to do any work within 3 metres of the boundary at least 2 months before starting work. It obviously helps if you have verbal discussions about your proposal with your neighbour, beforehand. The explanatory booklet on the subject gives examples of specimen letters you can write and how to deal with various typical scenarios.
As we are not lawyers, we draw your attention to your duties and suggest that you check with your solicitor. You can obtain the free booklet from the following sources:
Government website: Government Party Wall 1996 regulations and then follow the link by clicking on The Party Wall etc. Act 1996: explanatory booklet.
More useful information can be found on your authorities web sites in Planning / building control section