Building control FAQs
Click a question to reveal the answer.
Q: Why should I use Building Control?
Q: What do I do if I see a dangerous building?
Q: What happens if my neighbour wants to do work to my party wall?
Q: Why do I need to apply for building regulations and planning consent separately?
Building Regulations is there to ensure that buildings are safe, accessible and energy efficient in normal use. Technical standards are set through Building Regulations by the Department for Communities and Local Government and local authorities have a duty to enforce the regulations. Planning covers issues such as the size of development as it impacts on immediate neighbours and the community. Planning policy is partly the result of local policy as well as national policy, and public consultation is part of the planning process. Because these are two separate pieces of legislation they are handled by separate application processes, and some building work requires building but not planning consent. For a guide as to whether you might need building or planning consent for work that you want to do, see this page which is on the Planning Portal, a government website.
Q: What do I do if I need general advice on a building project?
