Full Plans approval
Before you carry out building works to your home you may need to apply for building regulation approval. A Full Plans application will give you peace of mind because we will check the plans to make sure that your building work complies to the regulations.
Full plans application forms, notices and guidance notes
Overview
Submitting a full plans application will:
- ensure that the proposed work complies with the regulations;
- be necessary when borrowing money from a bank or building society to pay for the work;
- will help builders give you an accurate quote.
A Full Plans application will be thoroughly checked by a building control surveyor and we will let you know if we need any further information. We are required to pass or reject your plans within a certain time limit. We may add conditions to an approval with your written agreement. If we are satisfied that the work shown on the plans complies with the regulations, you will be issued with an approval notice within five weeks, or, where extended by agreement, two months. This will give you the protection of being able to demonstrate that your plans were passed.
We will also inspect the work during construction for compliance with the regulations.
The person undertaking the work is legally obliged to notify the Council of stages of work. We will set these out in the acknowledgement letter.
On completion of the work, you are required to submit a Notice of Completion when you request a completion inspection.
Without this form, we cannot issue a Completion Certificate.
Full plans procedure is suitable for:
- any new buildings
- extensions or alterations to any building other than small single storey domestic extensions
- extensive internal structural alterations to any building
- loft conversions
Some buildings are exempt from Building Regulations, see domestic buildings exempt from building control for more information.
Cost
Fees vary
How to apply
To apply for a Full Plans approval you must submit fully detailed plans, specifications, calculations and other supporting details. The amount of detail required depends on the size and type of building works proposed. You should also provide a location plan should indicating where the building is relative to neighbouring roads.
Complete the Full Plans application form. For emailed applications, we will contact you to confirm the fee and take the payment once we have registered your application.
You should ensure that the Client Authorisation form is completed where an application is submitted on their behalf.
Be aware that applications received on or after 15 June 2022 for new dwellings, extensions and alterations will be subject to new building regulations.
F and L for Extensions and Alterations - Downloaded PDF guide to the changes in the regulations for extensions and alterations
FLOS for New Dwellings - Downloaded PDF guide to the changes in the regulations for new dwellings
For the full technical requirements, refer to the Approved Documents Approved Documents - Approved Documents - Planning Portal