You can make a full plans application for any type of building work, but one must always be submitted for works on commercial buildings, schools, shops, offices, railway premises, factories and hotels.
High risk buildings applications
From 1 October 2023 any building control applications for buildings that meet the high risk building definition Go to https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2023/9780348242812/contents (opens new window) can only be submitted online via: Manage a building control application for a higher-risk building (GOV.UK).
For more information on this change visit Health and Safety Executive: Building Safety Regulator Go to https://www.hse.gov.uk/building-safety/regulator.htm (opens new window).
If you've already started work you'll need to make a regularisation application.
Check if you need building regulations approval.
How to apply
Online with Planning Portal for Building Control
Portal is the fastest way to apply as your application is created in our database.
You can drag and drop multiple plans and documents as one process.
Include the applicant's email address in your application, so we can send them important documents relating to their application.
Apply online with Building Control Portal
Before you can use Portal you must first create a user account.
For advice see our pdf short guide on using Portal (164 KB) .
Supplementary Information
From 1 October 2023, pdf Supplementary Information (189 KB) is required for all Building Control with Full Plans applications.
Using Portal
What fee is payable
Check the section pdf fee charges (183 KB) to find out the cost of your application or put in a bespoke quote enquiry before applying.
You can then enter this fee upon submitting your application in via the Portal.
The Portal provides options to:
- select payment method as ‘Local Authority Website' to be redirected to our online payment system, or
- choose to pay by phone
Your application is only valid once this fee is paid.
Submitting your application
To submit your application you must select next at the top of the page once all sections have been completed. You must then select I accept and submit. Otherwise the application will remain as draft.
Other ways to apply
Online form
You can also submit an application using our online form:
Postal application
pdf Download and fill in the paper form (353 KB) .
You'll need to include:
-
completed application form
- the first part of the pdf total fee (183 KB) , the second part of the total fee is payable after the first visit to site and where applicable we'll send you an invoice for the inspection fee at this stage
- detailed drawings of the proposed building work drawn to a scale of not less than 1:100
- site or location plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1:1250 showing the proposal and site boundaries
- any specification that accompanies the drawings
You may also need to include:
- estimated cost of work
- structural design and calculations
What happens next
We'll check your application in detail and give you a formal decision notice within five weeks.
Once you get your formal decision notice, you can submit a commencement notice two days before the work starts. We then inspect the work on site.
See book a site inspection for more information.