There are two ways in which an application can be made:
1. Full plans
Detailed plans of the proposal are submitted with an application form and the appropriate charge.The Council is required to approve or reject the application within five weeks of receipt or two months if agreed.
2. Building Notice
This procedure requires the deposit of a Building Notice (less detailed than full plans procedure) at least two days before work starts. The plans are not passed but the work is inspected on site for compliance with the regulations. A Building Notice cannot be used for most commercial buildings.
This option does not give the applicant the same degree of protection as a full plans approval, and should only be used where the builder is conversant with the relevant regulations.
Charges
The Council is required to charge for the Building Control Service, and also sets these charges. These are based on the size and type of work to be carried out. Information on the scale of charges is available from the Building Control Section.
Inspection of the work
Once the work starts, the builder must notify the Council at various stages, so that the work can be inspected to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Dangerous Structures
If a building or structure is considered dangerous to anyone in or around the it, the Council has powers to enforce the owner to remove the danger. If the owner cannot be found in an emergency situation, the Council may remove the danger and recharge the owner(s).
If the danger occurs out of hours there is a 24 hour emergency call out service, which can be accessed by telephoning the Council's main switchboard 01256 844844