Building regulations are legal requirements laid down by the government. The aim of the regulations is to achieve adequate standards for the construction of buildings. This includes health and safety, energy conservation and access and facilities for disabled people. The regulations apply to most building work, with a few exemptions. Building regulations should not be confused with planning permission and will often apply to work which does not require planning consent.
The Building Control Team is responsible for checking plans and the inspection of work. We also deal with dangerous structures, demolitions and derelict properties.
We are here to help. If you are thinking about carrying out any building work, please contact us.
You can submit an application on-line by clicking on the 'Apply Online' link in the 'Have your say' section on the right side of this page. Once you have arrived at the new page please scroll to the bottom and you will see a list of three building regulations forms to chose from.
BUILDING CONTROL CHARGES 2008/09
South Gloucestershire Council Building Control charges are set to increase as of 1st April 2008. In order to minimise any delays to your applications as a result of the new charges we have kept the plan charge for most extensions at the same level and the inspection charges have been increased to reflect the new overall charge.
If you have any queries relating to the new charges or indeed any general Building Regulation query, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Important news
Major upgrade to planning and building control IT system
Over the next few weeks South Gloucestershire Council will be in the final stages of implementing a new planning and building control IT system. The new system will deliver many benefits to the Council and its customers including better integration with online services.
Development Services have worked hard to minimise the impact on customers, but as we actually transfer from the old system to the new system there may be some occasions when normal service will be affected and this may include the information available on our website.
Please accept our apology in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and hope you can bear with us for this short period of disruption.
Energy Performance Certificates
From the 6 April 2008 all completed dwellings require an Energy Performance Certificate (E.P.C.) to satisfy The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007. Please see the attached explanatory leaflet which gives more details of this new requirement under Read more.
Enforcement Policy
In May 2008 the Council formally adopted an Enforcement Policy for the Building Control service. The policy reflects the principles of best practice set out the Government’s Enforcement Concordat published by the Cabinet Office. Please see the read more section which gives more details of this Enforcement Policy.
IMPORTANT NEWS – CHANGES TO VAT
In line with the recent announcements made by the Government, as of Monday 1st December 2008 the rate of VAT payable on Building Control application fees will be reduced to 15%. Arrangements have been put in hand to amend our on-line application submission service and published fee schedules to reflect the changes, but this may take a few days. In the interim please contact the Building Control team direct and we will be pleased to confirm the revised application fee payable.