Application for building control approval with full plans

If you wish to obtain formal approval for building works before the work begins you can apply for building control approval with full plans.

We require:

• a completed application form
• a copy of the drawings
• structural calculations, if appropriate
• the correct charge/fee, which we calculate using a government framework

The applicant must pay the plan charge to the local authority when the plans are deposited.

We must grant or reject the full plans within 5 weeks, or a longer period if the applicant has agreed to an extension of time in writing.

We may reject the plans if either they:

•  show that work will contravene the building regulations
•  are defective (for example incomplete) – they fail to show that work will comply with the Building Regulations. We must give the reason in the notice of rejection

If rejected, the plans can be resubmitted and will be rechecked – there is no extra cost if this is done within 12 weeks of the rejection date. Once the plans show compliance with the regulations the application will be granted.

Make an application

Building in accordance with deposited plans

If building work deviates from what the deposited and granted (or not rejected) plans show, we may require this work to be taken down or altered. It is therefore advisable to consult us before deviating from the plans that have been granted.

Consulting the fire authority

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to the plans or will apply after building work is complete, we must consult with the fire authority and consider their views before passing the plans or issuing a completion certificate. We will check the means of escape and access for the Fire Brigade arrangements are satisfactory.

Consulting the sewerage undertaker

When the plans show that work affects a drain, sewer or disposal main under Regulation 15, we must consult the sewerage undertaker. We must consider the views of the sewerage undertaker before passing the plans or issuing a completion certificate. We must be satisfied that work will not be detrimental to either the building in question or the continued maintenance of any drain, sewer or disposal main.

Where a build over agreement is required (where the proposed development is within 3 metres of a public sewer), it is your responsibility to obtain this permission from Thames Water before starting work. Please also note that Thames Water do not permit driven piles within 15m of a public sewer.

See Thames Water for more information on building over sewers or public drains.

Granting the application for building control approval with full plans subject to requirements

• This was previously known as conditional passing of plans

We may grant the application subject to either or both of the following conditions, under Section 14A(3) of the Building Regulations:

• that such modifications as the relevant authority may specify must be made in the full plans.
• that such further plans as the authority may specify must be provided before work to which those plans relate starts.

Starting work

When an application for building control approval has been deposited and 48 hours' notice of starting has been given, work may begin, but this is at your own risk until the plans have been checked and granted.

Once work begins you will need to pay the inspection fee if you haven’t already done so.