In general, most building work needs formal approval. The type of work covered
includes the following:
Domestic premises
- New dwellings
- Detached garages (more than 30m2)
- Change of use to dwelling
- Structural alterations
- Cavity fill
- Unvented hot water systems
- Replacement windows
- Electrical installations
Non-domestic premises
- New dwellings
- Extensions to buildings
- Structural alterations
- Certain changes of use
- Cavity fill
- Unvented hot water systems
- Replacement windows
Typical examples of work needing approval
- Home extensions, such as for a kitchen, bedroom, and lounge
- Loft conversions
- Internal alterations such as the removal of a load bearing wall or partition
or the installation of baths, showers or WCs, which involves new drainage
- New chimneys or flues
- Underpinning of foundations
- Altered openings for new windows in roofs or walls
- Replacing roof coverings unless exactly "like for like" repair
- Replacement windows
- Installation of cavity insulation
- Erection of new buildings that are not exempt
- Works on commercial premises that would alter the means of escape
It is important
that you do not go ahead with any building work before investigating any need
for building regulation approval for planning permission. You may be forced
to put things right later. You may even have to remove an unauthorised building.
Find out if you require building regulation approval
You can use our online
expert system to
find out if you require building regulation approval.