Pre-site approval

If you choose to use a Local Authority building control service, there are three types of application for approval you can make.

• Full Plans: where drawings, details and other supporting information is submitted for checking and a formal decision notice (approval, conditional approval or rejection) is given.
• Building Notice: a less detailed form of application where minimal information is initially required (although the Local Authority may request further detail) and no formal decision is given.  The approval process is much more heavily weighted towards the work in progress.
• Regularisation: a means of applying for retrospective approval of work that was previously carried out without Building Regulations approval.

There is a charge payable for these applications, which may vary between Local Authorities, but is regulated by the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 1998.  You should contact your Local Authority for details of their charges.