Building Control in Wychavon

Building Regulations

Building Regulations are legal requirements aimed at achieving adequate standards of building work for the construction of most types of building including domestic, commercial and industrial buildings.

They are laid down by Parliament (see: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) and are supported by separate documents containing practical and technical guidance on compliance, which are known as "Approved Documents".

Their purpose is to ensure the minimum standard to secure the health and safety of people in or about buildings. They are also concerned with energy conservation and with access and facilities for disabled people both in public and commercial buildings including offices and shops.

Unless you have a reasonable working knowledge of building construction, when planning building work we advise you to obtain professional advice (e.g. from an architect, a structural engineer or a building surveyor) and to choose a recognised builder to carry out the work. We also recommend that you consult the Council’s Building Consultancy Surveyor in advance.

For commercial property there are additional regulations on which Building Control can advise.

The Building Regulations cover most building work such as new building, extensions or alterations to an existing one, new windows, walls, roofs etc. Building Regulations will probably also apply when providing fittings such as drains, boilers, washing or sanitary facilities and hot water storage (unvented hot water systems).

They may also apply to certain changes of use of an existing building even though no construction work may be intended.

Remember that the Building Regulations are completely separate from Planning legislation and the granting of approval under either does not give consent under the other.

In some cases only Building Regulation approval will be needed and sometimes only Planning Permission, although in most cases both will be required.

Please seek advice at an early stage on both types of law, contact us,  there is no charge for this advice.