Building Control Services
The Building Regulations are made under powers provided in the Building Act 1984, and apply in England and Wales. The current edition of the regulations is 'The Building Regulations 2010' and the majority of building projects are required to comply with them. They exist to ensure the health and safety of people in and around all types of buildings. They include energy conservation and access and facilities for disabled people.
Description
Building Control is a statutory function of the District Council. The Council has to ensure that the majority of building projects comply with Building Regulations. To download an application form go to the documents section of this A to Z entry. Electronic application forms are available from the e-forms section of this A to Z entry.
Building Control Services
Building Regulations exist to ensure that building work meets minimum standards in the following areas:
- Safety
- Health
- Convenience
- Energy Conservation
- Access and Facilities for disabled persons.
There are guidelines about the construction of foundations, floors, wall, roofs and drains, for examples, so these standards are met. The laws about Buildings and Fire Safety are particularly complex and it is advisable to seek advice at an early stage if you intend to make alterations to factories, shops, offices, hotels and boarding houses.
The Council's Building Control Section considers building Regulation applications. The main functions of this section are as follows:
- to ensure that building work is carried out to the standards required by the Building Regulations
- to provide help and advice both before and after the commencement of work that is subject to the Building Regulations
- to provide help and advice in respect of dangerous structures including the issuing of appropriate notices
- to arrange for the appropriate notices and action for demolitions.
- monitoring of planning permissions.
The Council has two area teams, north and south, each based at Grantham. The service provided includes:
- a same day inspection service on all calls received before 10am - phone 01476 406187
- a 24 hour answer phone for inspection requests - 01476 406 485
- all staff having a mobile phone for contact throughout the day
- staff being available at the office throughout the day without an appointment
- a wide range of guidance notes see Building Control notes
- pre-application advice.
