What is Building Control?

All building work carried out should meet current building codes and regulation requirements. Our Building Control Service ensures that buildings are designed and constructed in accordance with the Building Regulations and associated legislation.

Please Note: It is the responsibility of those carrying out the work to ensure that the provisions of the regulations are fully met. The role of Building Control is only to check that they do so.

Ten essential functions of Building Control

• Encourage innovation to produce energy efficient and sustainable buildings
• Support local, regional and national businesses
• Educate and inform building professionals, contractors and trades people
• Defend vulnerable communities and householders
• Drive out rogue traders
• Safeguard the investments of individuals and companies
• Enhance access for disabled, sick, young and old people
• Protect the community from dangerous structures
• Provide advice in support of the emergency services
• Ensure sports grounds and public venues are safe for crowds

What is the difference between planning and building control?

It is generally realised that a form of permission is required for building work or alterations of properties. However, it may not always be clear how the Planning and Building Regulations approval regimes differ.

Building Regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the health and safety for people in or around those buildings. They also include requirements to ensure that fuel and power is conserved and that facilities are provided for people, including those with disabilities, to access and move around inside buildings.

Planning seeks to guide the way our towns, cities and countryside develop. This includes the use of land and buildings, the appearance of buildings, landscaping considerations, highway access and the impact that the development will have on the general environment.

For many types of building work, separate permission under both regimes (separate processes) will be required. For other building work, such as internal alterations, Buildings Regulations approval will probably be needed, but Planning permission may not be. You may also have responsibilities under the construction health and safety regulations.

Service Standards

A set of service standards have been produced to provide information on what you can expect from the Building Control service.

• Most building control officers hold a relevant qualification, which cover a wide range of disciplines including surveying, structural engineering, public health and fire engineering. There are many years of experience available to call on and our officers regularly attend training courses to ensure that they are up to date with modern methods of construction. A multi-functional service is offered covering structures, fire precautions, services, drainage and where appropriate liaison with other council departments may be carried out to offer a team approach
• A progressive approach is adopted to help you obtain the best possible value for money. We will consider all new methods and materials of construction, based on our own experience and, if necessary, other expert advice
• Maximum use of new technology is made and state of the art software to check engineer’s calculations as well as other aspects of the proposed work such as heat loss from buildings and energy (SAP) ratings of new buildings may be utilised to ensure a speedy and accurate response
• Extensive records on properties are maintained so that future owners can plan further works with confidence. This also means that prospective purchasers can ensure that work carried out in the past has been inspected and approved. This information can also be analysed to give prior warning of any potential problems particularly in relation to ground conditions
• Close liaison is maintained with building control offices in other local authorities through the District Surveyors Association to share our experience and exchange knowledge and information on a national level

Building regulations see http://www.haringey.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/building-control/building-regulations

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2214/pdfs/uksi_20102214_en.pdf