There are several ways of gaining Building Control approval for your work. The procedure you should follow depends on the type of work you are carrying out.

• Large building works usually require a Full Plans application, whereas smaller projects, including new houses, may only require the submission of a Building Notice.
• If you are proposing to erect or carry out building work to a building that is already put to, or will be put to a commercial use then a Full Plans application must be deposited.
• If you are proposing to erect or carry out building work to a building that is already put to, or will be put to a commercial use then a Full Plans application must be deposited. 
• If the work involves building over a sewer, then again a Full Plans application must be deposited.
• If you are proposing to erect or carry out building work to premises, which provide access to members of the public, a Full Plans application must be deposited.

Full Plans Application

If you choose the Full Plans route, a Building Control Officer will check your plans for compliance with the Building Regulations. Within five weeks (or two months if you have agreed to an extension of time), your application will either be approved, approved with conditions or rejected. A Full Plans application enables you to give your builder an approved plan to follow that complies with the Building Regulations.

Building Notice Application

If you submit a Building Notice, a decision notice will not be issued, neither will any plans accompanying the Notice be checked. The advantage of a Building Notice is that it will allow you to commence works without preparing a full set of plans for the project. This can be very useful for minor works. However you must feel confident that the work will comply with the Regulations as you will have to correct any work (at your own cost) should the work subsequently be found not to comply. You cannot use a Building Notice for certain types of work, so if unsure check with the Building Control section first.

Is there any difference in cost between a Full Plans application and a Building Notice?

No. With one or two exceptions a Full Plans application involves a two stage payment, one when you submit your plans (Plan Charge) and one following first inspection on site, which you will be invoiced by the Councils Finance Section (Inspection Charge). If a Building Notice is given the fee is payable when the Building Notice is deposited with the Council and is the sum of the plan charge and inspection charge.