These nationally applied standards cover the following areas and can apply to new buildings, extensions and existing building alterations.

• Structure - controls building structural stability.
• Fire Safety - provides for safe means of escape in case of a fire and other fire related issues i.e. fire spread control, fire resistance of construction and access for fire fighting.
• Site Preparation and Resistance to Contaminants / Moisture - controls building on contaminated sites, methods of preventing dampness entering buildings and the prevention of condensation damage.
• Toxic Substances - restricts toxic substance use in buildings.
• Resistance to the Passage of Sound - provides for minimum sound insulation provisions to both new and converted dwellings, residential premises and schools.
• Means of Ventilation - requires adequate provisions to ventilate both domestic and commercial buildings.
• Ventilation - requires adequate provisions to ventilate both domestic and commercial buildings.
• Hygiene - requires minimum sanitary provisions to buildings.
• Drainage and Waste Disposal - ensures both above and below ground level building drainage is effective and requires measures to be adopted to prevent water contamination.
• Heat Producing Appliances - controls all forms of heating appliances i.e. gas fires / boilers / open coal fires etc (other than electric)
• Stairways, Ramps and Guarding- provides for the safe design of stairs and ramps and precautions to prevent people falling out of buildings.
• Conservation of Fuel and Power - requires minimum standards of thermal insulation, energy saving heating, cooling systems, ventilation systems and lighting controls.
• Access to and use of Buildings - provides for reasonable provisions to be made for people to gain access to and use both domestic and non-domestic buildings.
• Glazing Materials and Protection - provides for safety / safe breaking glass to prevent cutting injuries and provisions to prevent people walking into large glazed areas.
• Electrical Safety - controls the design, installation and testing of electrical installations in dwellings.

How to Make an Application

There are two options through the Council when you choose to carry out work to which the Building Regulations apply.

Full Plans Option

(Download the Full Plans Application Form 77.05 KB )

This is the most widely known and used option, where scaled plans clearly indicating the proposed constructional details and where necessary supporting structural calculations, have to be submitted.

A Building Control Surveyor will check the plans for compliance with the Building Regulations. Any queries or problems will be conveyed to you or your agent (if applicable) at a time when they can easily be corrected and when these are resolved an approval notice is issued.

Full plans applications are subject to a maximum time period of 5 weeks, extendable on request to 2 months, by which a decision should be made.

A Full plans application approval is valid for 3 years from date of deposit. (changes from the 6 th April 2006 varies this for certain applications - refer to Guidance Note 24 (1) - Transitional Provisions 44.29 KB ).

Advantages of this system are that you receive a formal approval notice, which can be presented to financial institutions, solicitors, surveyors, etc when seeking loans or moving house. Also you have the assurance that provided the work is carried out in accordance with the approved plans the Building Regulations will be satisfied and this can save expensive mistakes.

After plan approval when the works start, Building Control Surveyors will carryout various Site Inspections to determine that the building works being undertaken complies with the Building Regulations.

Charges for the 'Full Plans' option are normally required in two stages.

A charge is payable when an application is submitted and a further charge is payable after the first inspection of the works on site (some minor works are paid fully on submission and are not subject to this second charge. See Building Control Charges).

To Submit the Application:

Complete the full plans application form and include at least two copies* of :

• All detailed plans / specifications and calculations.
• A 1:1250 scale location plan (block plan), showing the size and position of the proposal and its relationship to adjoining boundaries.
• The appropriate charge payment (please have a look at the Building Control Charges page).

*An additional two copies of the plans are required for work to properties where persons are employed and / or are subject to a Fire Certificate under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 e.g. shops, factories, offices, public buildings etc.

Payment by Cheque

Please make your cheques payable to 'Tameside MBC' and if you are making a planning application at the same time, please ensure you include separate cheques for each application.

Building Notice Option

(Download the Building Notice Application Form 73.11 KB )

Under this option no detailed plans are required (see restrictions on it's use below) and once the notice has been submitted you have to wait only 48 hours before starting the work. The total fee for the work has to be paid when the Building Notice is submitted.

This procedure is useful for carrying out smaller projects, such as bathroom installations, minor structural alterations and small domestic extensions. It does rely on the person undertaking the work having some familiarity with Building Regulation requirements or you risk having to correct works after inspection. Close co-operation is required with yourself and/or your builder and the Building Control Surveyor who will visit to inspect the works at various stages, appropriate to the works being undertaken.

No formal approval is given on a Building Notice procedure, nor do you receive the same protection afforded by the Full plans procedure. The whole process of making sure your work complies with the Building Regulations is carried out at the site inspection stage and falls on you or your builder's shoulders. This has one major disadvantage, if a problem is found by your Building Control Surveyor on his/her inspections, it will usually be after you have carried out a significant amount of work, which you may then have to take down and do again.

Please note that even if you choose to submit a plan with a Building Notice Application it will not be checked, the only way to get an approved plan on which you can rely is to make a full plans application. If you are in any doubt, please discuss this with a member of the Building Control team.

Also be aware under this option we can ask for further information on the construction/structural calculations as are found to be necessary.

If in doubt make a full plans application.

A Building Notice application is valid for 3 years from date of acknowledgement.

It cannot be used for premises where people are employed or where a Fire Certificate under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is applicable e.g. shops, factories, offices, public buildings etc.

or

Where the proposals consisting of either underpinning, extensions or new build effects or is likely to effect access to or is built over a drain, sewer or disposal main indicated on the map of sewers kept by the sewerage undertakers.

or

Works involves the erection of any building fronting onto a private street.

In these two cases you must submit a full application under the Full Plans procedures above.

To Submit the Application:

Download the Building Notice application form, complete and return with the appropriate charge payment. This fee is equivalent to the combined "Plan Fee" and "Inspection Fee" which would be payable when making a "Full Plans" application. (please have a look at the Building Control Charges page).

Note: For New Build and Extensions - a 1:1250 scale location plan (block plan), showing the proposals size and position and its relationship to adjoining boundaries, together with a drainage plan indicating the proposals drainage discharges to the existing drainage systems must be provided.

Charges

Building Regulation work is subject to charges (please have a look at the Building Control Charges page).

Charges for the 'Full Plans' option are normally required in two stages.

A charge is payable when an application is submitted and a further charge is payable after the first inspection of the works on site (some minor works are paid fully on submission and are not subject to this second charge).

In the case of a 'Building Notice' option a single charge is payable upon submission of the notice. The charge is equivalent to the combined "plan charge" and "inspection charge" that would be payable when making a "Full Plans" application.

Electronic Submission of Plans

You can choose to send your application and plans over the Internet through the www.submitaplan.com web site developed exclusively for Local Authority Building Control.

If you choose to pay online, please have a look at the Building Control Charges page beforehand, to determine the fee to enter into the online payments box below.

Payment of fees can be paid either online

Or alternatively, an invoice will be sent to the applicant or agent if applicable upon receipt of the application.

Should you require advice, help or assistance with the submit-a-plan process please contact:

0161 342 3318 or Send us a Message.

Regularisation Certificates

It is quite common for alterations or extensions undertaken without building regulation approval to cause difficulties when you are selling a house.

This happens when the vendor cannot supply the purchaser with the appropriate approval notice and/or completion certificate. This calls into question the quality of building construction and the structural integrity of the work. However, you can now apply to Building Control for a Regularisation Certificate for work undertaken after 11th November 1985 which will assist this but you need to be aware that a fee is payable to the Council and breaches to the building regulations may need to be rectified. You can download the application form 35.75 KB and the Guidance Note on Regularisation Applications.126.26 KB

Replacement Windows

Are you thinking of replacing your windows? Read the new legislation.

Electrical Works

Are you thinking of having any electrical works carried out to your house / flat, in your garden or outbuildings or associated with any other building or alteration work? Read the new legislation and requirements 245.36 KB

Condensing Boilers

From the 1st April 2005, where you install a new or replacement gas or oil fired central heating boiler to a new or converted dwellings or to a domestic extension, this generally must be a condensing boiler. Please refer to our Guidance Note 23 - Condensing Boilers 37.65 KB for further information.

Heating and Hot Water Systems in Your Home provides you with a home heating checklist to establish information about the energy efficiency of your existing heating and hot water systems and includes links to further sites providing information on how to reduce your energy usage.

For business users, A Guide for Business - Reducing the Energy Usage and Carbon Emissions from Your Heating and Hot Water Systems  provides information.

Self Certification Schemes

Similar to the schemes provided for replacement windows and electrical works, you can avoid having to submit a Building Regulation application for certain elements of work if you employ a 'Competent Person Scheme Member' to undertake such works.

Certain members of Government approved trade bodies are allowed to carryout works - they still have to notify the Local Authority, but this is done by their Trade association. The schemes coverage is explained in Guidance Note 24 (3) - Competent Person schemes and exemption of minor works 50.59 KB

Building Works

Do you want to make a complaint about building work or development in your area?

Click here to make a complaint and to find out what we do when we receive a complaint.

Starting Works

Choosing a Builder

See our useful advice on How to Choose a Builder 55.41 KB

Planning Permission - Important Note

Before works commence, you or your builder (where applicable) are advised to check the conditions that will have been set out on your planning approval (where one was necessary) - it is important to avoid future problems that all the conditions are complied with.

You will also normally have to agree samples of the external materials to be used with the planning officer before the work commences.

Should the site works deviate from the approved planning permission in any way due to site variations and problems, you must discuss these as soon as is possible with the local planning officer to avoid problems occurring.

If you have any doubts about planning related issues please contact the appropriate Planning Service.

Building Control

Irrespective of the type of Building Regulation application made, building work must be inspected during its progress and sufficient notice must be given to enable the Building Control Surveyor to arrange site visits.

Before works commence you or your builder are advised to check for any conditions that may have been set out on your Building Regulation approval - it is important to avoid future problems that all the conditions (where applicable) are complied with.

Site Inspections

Building Control carry out site inspections to determine that building works being undertaken comply with the Building Regulations.

The number and nature of the site inspections vary according to the type of works being undertaken.

48 hours before work is due to start Building Control must be given notification - this can be done by using the commencement notice provided with your approval or attached to the building notice form. You can download a copy of the Commencement Notice Form 70.54 KB or use the on-line Commencement Notice Form or you can obtain a copy from Building Control.

Please be aware that if you have not obtained approval where the 'full plan' application option is followed, any works commenced will continue at your own risk until approval is granted and any works found to be wrong on the plan examination and carried out on site will have to be corrected.

A Building Control Surveyor will visit once the works have started and discuss the further inspections that will have to be made. It is you or your builder's responsibility to notify us once those stages are reached to enable an inspection to be carried out. Use either the downloadable copy of Inspection Request Form 96.84 KB or the on-line Inspection Notice Form, alternatively you can telephone the Building Control office before 10.00am weekdays.

Inspections requested before 10.00am any weekday will in normal circumstances (if required) be carried out on the same day of the request.

After the commencement inspection, you will be invoiced directly for a one-off inspection charge as laid out in the appropriate charge scales Building Control Charges this covers all further inspections made during building work (note- some works are not subject to this charge as it will have been paid with the application submission).

For most domestic extensions the following inspections are normally made.

Please be aware that the inspections we carry out are to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations, particularly Health and Safety matters. This should not be confused with a full supervision service, which would normally be carried out by your own Architect, Surveyor or Clerk of Works.

* For projects involving electrical works see Part P Electrical Guide Note 20 245.36 KB for guidance on the testing required to be undertaken.

For commercial projects the above inspections (where appropriate) will be carried out. Also additional inspections such as fire stopping checks and general construction inspections depending on size and scale of the project being undertaken will also be undertaken.

Finally, you are requested upon completion to contact Building Control to arrange for a completion inspection. If the works are satisfactory a Completion Certificate is issued, this is your evidence of Building Regulation compliance and is required when you sell your property.

To arrange for a completion inspection (where internal access will be necessary), please contact Building Control during normal office hours on 0161 342 2637 or 0161 342 2638 or 0161 342 2376. You can use the completion notice sent to you or use the downloadable Completion Notice 68.64 KB or use the on-line Completion Form.

Completion Certificates

Providing that each stage of inspection has been notified to the Council and the Building Control Surveyor is satisfied that the work complies with the Building Regulations, a "Completion Certificate" will be issued. This certificate is your evidence that the work complies with the Building Regulations and is often now required for the sale of your property.

Other Building Control Functions

Dangerous Buildings

Building Control has a statutory duty to deal with Dangerous Buildings and Structures throughout the borough and is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Our objective is to safeguard public safety by dealing quickly with any situation that may arise. We have the Statutory Authority to take legal action against the buildings or structures owner who does not take steps to remove any potential danger.

Our powers under dangerous building legislation do not however extend to dealing with dilapidated premises, which may be in a poor condition, but do not present a danger to the public.

Important Notice: Dangerous Buildings

If you wish to report a building or structure that poses an immediate danger, please telephone 0161 342 2637 or 2638 during office hours or Telephone 0161 342 2222 or Minicom: 0161 342 3009 out of office hours. If the building does not pose an immediate danger you can complete the Dangerous Building online form.

Information to be provided:

• Address of Danger.
• Precise description of what you consider to be dangerous and its location.
• Any known ownership details/ access provisions that will assist Building Control in dealing with the complaint.
• Your name and contact details so we can advise you of the action taken (optional).

Demolition

When intending to demolish a building, official notice must be given to Building Control, usually a minimum of six weeks prior to the intended start date. You can use the Intended Demolition online form or request the standard notification form. Alternatively download copy of the Intended Demolition Form 107.74 KB

In order for us to process this application you must also provide a 1:1250 location plan clearly indicating the buildings to be demolished, all adjacent properties and existing drainage systems to be sealed, together with a copy of the demolition contractor's method statement indicating safe methods of demolition.

Within 6 weeks of receiving this completed application, we will issue a Demolition Notice setting out a number of conditions that have to be complied with during the demolition works necessary to maintain public safety and public amenity.

Building Control may also consult Environmental Health / Highways / Planning Departments and the GMC Fire Service prior to the issuing of a demolition notice.

You should also notify all service providers such as gas, electric etc by sending them a copy of the notification form and location plan, in order that they may arrange with yourselves for their services to be safely disconnected.

Public Entertainments Licences

Building Control Surveyors provide technical support to the Council's Licensing Section, which is responsible for the issuing of Public Entertainments Licences.

How to Contact Us

Contact us by any of the methods below - providing us with the address or the area to which your enquiry relates and as much information as you can to enable your enquiry to be adequately answered.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Planning and Building Control Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 2637 / 2638 Planning Permission: 0161 342 3112 / 3140 / 3114
0161 342 2563
Report a Dangerous Building Work Under Construction Search Site Inspection Request Notice of Intended Demolition