Choosing the right Building Regulations application

There are usually two types of building regulations application:  

  • full plans 
  • building notice

You can also make a retrospective building regulations application for work that has been carried out without consent.

Your choice often depends on how complex your project is.

With either application type, a completion certificate will be issued by your local authority building control team when the building work is complete. This shows that the work has been independently inspected and, that as far as could be assessed, complies with the building regulations.

If works have already been carried out, you can also make a retrospective building regulations application.

If you are unsure about the best route to building regulations compliance, or need clarification on which application type would be most suitable for your project and the fees involved, contact your local authority Building Control Team: buildingcontrol@redbridge.gov.uk

Full plans 

For a full plan application you need:

  • detailed drawings 
  • to pay the relevant fee 

The plans are checked for compliance with the Building Regulations. 

If the Local Authority feels the plans do not show compliance, they'll send you an amendment schedule. 

If the Local Authority is satisfied the plans show compliance, they'll issue an approval notice. 

The Full Plans process can take up to 8 weeks, but in most cases it is completed faster. The approval notice is valid for 3 years and as long as you start work before this time, you can continue through to completion within 10 years.

Building notice

This is a much simpler procedure than the Full Plans option. It is usually used for minor works, such as the removal of an internal load-bearing wall. 

Once work has started, a local authority building control surveyor will visit the site to meet the builder. They'll: 

  • discuss the plans
  • agree how the work should be carried out 
  • agree when specific site inspections will take place

You may still need to provide plans and structural calculations.

When the building work is complete, the local authority building control team issue a completion certificate. This shows the work has been independently inspected and, that as far as could be assessed, it complies with the building regulations. The Building Notice is valid for 3 years and providing you start work before this time, you can continue through to completion within 10 years.

Retrospective building regulations applications

You can make a retrospective building regulations application for work that has been carried out without consent. This can happen if the work has already started or completed, as long as it was carried out after 11 November 1985. 

The purpose of the process is to regularise unauthorised works and obtain a certificate of regularisation. 

Depending on the circumstances, you may need to expose, remove, and/ or rectify works to establish compliance with the building regulations. Any work can potentially be regularised, but this service is only available from your local authority building control team.