Building Control

Our vision is for a building control system which ensures buildings are safe, healthy, accessible and sustainable for current and future generations

Building Regulations

What are they and why do we need them?'

The Building Regulations are a national set of regulations made under the powers of the Building Act 1984. They provide guidance through Approved Documents, which provide a minimum level of acceptable building practice and design.

Building Regulations are necessary so that the minimum standards of design and construction for new buildings, alterations and extensions are met in order to:

  • safeguard the health and safety of persons in and around the buildings
  • to conserve energy through insulation and control usage
  • to provide access and facilities for disabled persons

The building control service will:

  • Check

    provide a checking service to help achieve compliance with building standards

  • Support

    support and advise customers on how to end up with the result they want, but will not be a substitute for professional design and construction advice

  • Help

    help with aspects of quality (workmanship and materials) where these affect compliance with building standards, but not where they do not affect compliance

  • Ensure

    ensure that all building standards which are set in the interests of the wider public good have been complied with at completion.

The building control service will not:

  • Be responsible for compliance

    that is the duty of the person carrying out the work. If work is found not to comply with building standards the person responsible could be prosecuted and the owner of the building may be required to put the work right

  • Manage every stage of the construction process on-site

    that is a matter for the contracts and arrangements between the client and builder

  • Address issues such as the finish and aesthetics of the final project where these are not relevant to compliance with building standards

    these are a matter for designers, developers, builders and, to some extent, new home warranty providers

  • Deal with contractual problems between client and builder

    this is a matter of contract law.

The roles and responsibilities of those involved in the building control system

Construction industry (architects, engineers, designers, surveyors, builders, construction companies, developers, representative bodies, etc)

Designs and builds to meet the required standard, clear understanding of the building control system and its role (eg to notify the building control service at agreed stages).

Building owner (householder, landowner, property owner)

Ultimately responsible for compliance of any building work undertaken, familiar with the aims of the building control system (to meet the needs of current and future users of the building, not just their own expectations).