Building Regulations

What are the Building Regulations?

The Building Regulations are legal requirements aimed at achieving minimum standards of construction. The main purpose of the Regulations is to safeguard the health and safety of people in or about buildings. They are also concerned with energy efficiency and access and facilities for disabled people.

Is BR Approval same as Planning Permission?

No, Building Regulation approval under the Building Regulations is entirely separate from the process of obtaining Planning Permission, which may be required for domestic work regardless of whether the scheme is controllable or exempt under the Building Regulations

Do I need Building Regulations?

The majority of domestic work, which requires Building Regulations approval, falls into the following categories, and constitutes 'Notifiable Work':

The erection of a new building or the extension of an existing building e.g. a kitchen extension or loft conversion (Some "extensions" are exempt from the Building Regulations). Please refer to the FAQ "exempt buildings".

Structural alterations to an existing building e.g. underpinning, formation of a through lounge, partial removal of chimney breasts.

Changing the use of an existing building e.g. converting a house to flats.

The provision of new drainage or the extension or alteration of drainage facilities, for example, creating a cloakroom beneath the stairs.

What is 'Notifiable work'?

Most "Building Work" comes under the control of the Building Regulations. This includes things like new buildings, extensions and loft conversions as well as new roofs and through lounges.

Alterations to factories, shops and offices also need our approval under the Full Plans procedure.

List of the main notifiable work:
New buildings
Loft conversions
Extensions
Through lounges
Chimney breast removals
Roofing
Drainage