Building Control

Building Control Charges

spirit level 1. Before you build, extend or convert, you or your agent (ie architect, builder, developer etc) must advise us either by submitting Full Plans or through a Building Notice. The charge payable depends on the type of work, the number of new dwellings and/or the floor area.

2. If you submit Full Plans we will examine them and normally advise if further information is required before the plans can be approved.

3. If you submit a satisfactory Building Notice you will be sent a letter of acknowledgement. Work can start two days after receipt of this letter, but you must give notice to the Building Control Section at each stage of the work so that it can be inspected.

4. Charges are payable as follows:

Full Plans submission - the plan charge must be paid on deposit of the plans with the council.
Inspection Charges - except where included in the plan charge, inspection charges are payable after the first inspection has been undertaken.
Building Notices - the Building Notice charge must be paid on deposit of the Notice and is a single payment irrespective of the number of visits made by the Building Control Surveyor.
Regularisation Certificate - where unauthorised work has been undertaken since 11 November 1985, a Regularisation Certificate can be applied for. The charge is equal to 120% of the net Building Notice charge for the work. The Regularisation Charge is currently exempt from VAT.

5. Full Plans submissions, Building Notices and applications for Regularisation Certificates submitted without the correct charge, or without an acceptable estimate of the cost of the work where applicable, will not be treated as valid and will not be processed until these details are resolved.

6. Where charges are based on estimated cost of work, a reasonable estimate must be deposited with the application. The estimated cost is based on the amount a contractor would charge to carry out the work, excluding VAT and Architects or Surveyors charges.

7. When the proposed work comprises or includes one or more extensions to a building, the floor areas may be aggregated when determining the charges payable.

8. Where plans have been either approved or rejected no further charge is payable on resubmission for substantially the same work (within 3 years of deposit date).

9. Exemption - where work is to provide access/ facilities in an existing dwelling, or is an extension to provide a store or medical treatment area, solely for a disabled person, no charge is required.

Electrical Certification

Please note that any domestic electrical work requiring testing and certification by this council will be subject to an additional fee payable before a completion certificate can be issued.