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Building Control

The control of building standards is completely separate from Development Control, and approval under the building regulations must not be confused with planning permission. Approval under the building regulations does not mean that planning permission has been given and vice versa. Having made an application under the Building Regulations, you are required to notify Building Control of commencement and subsequent visits as required. Please go to the Site Inspection page for further infomation

Some minor building works are exempt from the Building Regulations, although Planning Permission may still be required. Even if the work does not need planning permission, it may require approval under the Building Regulations.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions relating to Planning & Building Regulations

Application Forms

 Click here to download Full Plans application form (111KB - 14 October 2011 - PDF Help)
 Click here to download Building Notice application form (120KB - 14 October 2011 - PDF Help)

Separate standard charge tables are provided for domestic and non-domestic applications and can be downloaded from the links below:

 Standard Domestic Charges (applicable from 1 Jan 2011) (180KB - 24 January 2012 - PDF Help)

 Standard Non-Domestic Charges (applicable from 1st Jan 2011) (200KB - 22 December 2010 - PDF Help)

The standard charge tables should cover most common project types. The charges for any projects which fall outside the scope of the standard charge tables will be calculated on an individually basis subject to the anticipated input required from building control. Factors influencing the charges would include for example, size, type, cost of works, building use, whether or not a professional design team is involved, use of competent persons. The new scheme provides us with the flexibility to tailor our services and our fees to suit your individual needs. Please contact us to discuss your particular project requirements and receive a no-obligation quotation.

What are the Building Regulations?

Building Regulations are concerned with maintaining the health and safety standards of buildings, energy conservation and access and facilities for disabled people. These are broken down into guidance notes, more commonly referred to as Approved Document A, B etc. The full list is as follows:-

A - Structure
B - Fire Safety
C - Site Preparation and Resistance to moisture
D - Toxic Substances
E - Resistance to the Passage of Sound
F - Ventilation
G - Hygiene
H - Drainage and Waste Disposal
J - Heat Producing Appliances
K - Stairs, Ramps and Guards
L1A - Conservation of Fuel and Power (for new domestic buildings)
L1B - Conservation of Fuel and Power (for works to existing domestic buildings)
L2A - Conservation of Fuel and Power (for new build non domestic dwellings)
L2B - Conservation of Fuel and Power (for works to existing non domestic dwellings)
M - Access and Facilities for Disabled People
N - Glazing - Materials and Protection
P - Electrical Safety

The District Council's Building Control Surveyors are professionally qualified and have expert local knowledge of ground conditions in the area. The Building Control Section is also able to call on specialist advice on planning, structural engineering and environmental health. Homebuyers, building societies, and professionals alike appreciate the integrity, independence and continuity offered by the Council's Building Control service.

Do I need to make an application?

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Completion Certificates

The Council can now issue Completion Certificates for the benefit of developers and purchasers alike, this is ESSENTIAL when selling the property.  A leaflet about Completion Certificates may be accessed by clicking here (74KB - 13 April 2005 - PDF Help)

Demolition

With certain small exceptions, no one may demolish a building unless notice of this is given to the Council. An inspection will then be made of the building to be demolished and a notice will be sent to the person concerned, specifying certain works which must be carried out, e.g. disconnecting, sealing or removing drains; supporting and weatherproofing exposed walls; removal of rubbish from the demolition to leave the site level and free from danger. If this work is not carried out satisfactorily, the Council can undertake the work and recover the cost.

Dangerous Structures

The Council operates a 24-hour emergency call-out service to advise property owners, the police and fire services on structural matters.

Buildings may become dangerous as a result of general deterioration, fire damage, the weather or vehicle impact. If they do, notice is normally served on the owner, requiring him or her to put the structure into a safe condition. If immediate action is required, then emergency work may be authorised by the Building Control Officer, with prior notification to the owner. In either case, the owner must pay for the work undertaken.

The Party Wall Etc. Act 1996

Under this Act, if you intend to carry out building work which involves:

· work on an existing wall shared with another property,
· building on the boundary with a neighbouring property,
· excavating near a neighbouring building,

You must find out whether that work falls within the scope of the Act. If it does, you must serve the statutory notice on all those defined by the Act as adjoining owners. Remember that reaching agreement with adjoining owners on a project that falls within the scope of the Act does not remove the possible need for planning permission or building regulations approval.

In order to be clear on whether your planned work does come within the Act, you may wish to contact an independent Party Wall surveyor

Radon Gas

New dwellings (and extensions to properties with radon barriers) will need to designed in accordance with current legislation, which provides levels of protection to that dwelling. East Devon has drawn a rough guidance map for your assistance from the current available information from BRE report 211 and the NRPB.

Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the Building Regulations or require advice on the submission of plans for approval please contact a Building Control Officer on 01395 517482 or FAX 01395 517551.

Information can be provided in several foreign languages by contacting us on 01395 518482. For the full list of translations available  click here (246KB - 08 October 2007 - PDF Help) .

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Page last updated on 24 January 2012