Building Regulations - Overview

Building Regulations or Standards define how a new building or alteration is to be constructed so that it is structurally safe, protected from risk of fire, energy efficient and has adequate ventilation for its purpose. An application for Building Regulations approval is not advertised and only the person applying and the Local Authority are involved.

Building Regulations approval may be required even if Planning Permission is not.

Building Regulations approval is granted by the building control officers of local authorities, they are generally separate from the planning officials. Queries regarding building elements can be discussed with building control to ensure that the design is compliant in all respects. Once approval has been given and work started, the local building Inspector will attend the site at specific stages to inspect the work, and they may recommendations as the work progresses. The most common inspection is at the foundation stage when the Inspector will see the subsoil before the concrete is poured. If the inspector deems that the planned depth is insufficient, they can demand that the foundations be deepened before the concrete is laid.

Building Regulations have three purposes:

1. To ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings.
2. The conservation of energy.
3. Access and facilities for disabled people.

For the latest information on Part L of the Building Regulations and our Bulletin 8 please click here