Building regulations set performance standards in the design and construction of buildings ensuring the health, safety, welfare and convenience of people in and around those buildings. They incorporate measures to conserve fuel and power and prevent waste, undue consumption, misuse or contamination of water. They also ensure the provision of facilities for people with disabilities.
The current building regulations were introduced in 2000 and have subsequently been amended several times. The following projects are typical of work that needs approval:
- new buildings (domestic, commercial, industrial)
- home extensions such as a kitchen, bedroom, lounge or garage
- loft conversions
- internal structural alterations such as the removal of a load-bearing wall
- installation of new heating boilers and other similar appliances
- new chimneys or flues
- new windows in walls or roof space
- installation of cavity insulation
- underpinning of foundations
- replacement of roof coverings with a heavier or lighter material
- replacement glazing and doors
- the 'material alteration' or 'material change of use' of a building
- domestic electrical installation works
- demolition of a building
NB. The above list is not exhaustive but is intended merely as a guide.
Revised charges for work controlled under building regulations came into effect at the start of 2010, following the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that Value Added Tax will increase to 17.5%.
A copy of the revised charges, guidance notes, building demolition application form and details of recent changes to building regulations are available below, or if you wish to receive a copy of these documents, please contact Durham County Council, Building Control Service on any of the following contact numbers.
New Building Regulations Application Form.pdf (2 pages, 135kb)
Revised Building Control Charges.pdf (6 pages, 58kb)
Notice of Proposed Demolition.pdf (3 pages, 150kb)
Building Regulations 2010 Amendments.pdf (1 pages, 89kb)
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open these files. You can download Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Acrobat website. Please not that the Adobe Access Plug-in enables vision impaired users to read Adobe PDF document.
Electronic applications – The Green Option
You can now send in you next Building Control application online by visiting County Councils Online - Submit a Plan.
Submit-a-Plan enables anyone, with access to the web, to submit Building Control applications electronically to Local Authorities across the country free of charge. It is the green option compared to printing and posting and will help to reduce your carbon footprint.
Main benefits of electronic submission
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free of charge to use
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open 24 hours a day 7 days a week
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no printing or postage required
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registering and submitting applications is simple
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applications can be managed and tracked online
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reducing your carbon footprint