Building Regulations Approval

JennyW_2

Can someone please advise me how this works? We move into our new flat tomorrow and know that we have to contact the council for certain things we want to do with the flat. Do we submit our plans in writing or do they come around to see what you want to do or come around after?

Would appreciate some guidance on how these things work.

This is what we plan to do and request approval for:

1. Take down an internal wall so we will have a through kitchen/lounge. This is a supporting wall and we will insert an RSJ

2. At the rear of the property in the lounge, there is a back door and window. We would like to replace these with french doors.

3. At the side of the property is a 3rd door. This isn't used so we would like to brick it up and insert a small window.

4. Convert the bathroom into our 2nd bedroom.

5. Create a new bathroom between the lounge and main bedroom. We will have to run waste out of the property to the main drain.

Does anyone think any of these ideas would be refused?

alanobrien

Personally I would submit them in writing, support wall work is particularly critical as is running new waste outlets.

Probably worth calling your local planning office for a chat about it, they are usually very helpful and willing to guide you through the process.

windym_2

You can get lots of info from here http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/ and http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspages.nsf/LookupWebPagesByTITLE_RTF/Planning+regulations+and+advice?opendocument.

Building Regulations approval takes time and is costed usually on a sliding scale of the cost of the works. You will need to apply in writing to your council, but most Building Control Officers will willingly speak with you first to advise best course of action.

I do not know what you would require in terms of regulations regarding your leasehold (as you said it is a flat). You may need permission from the Leaseholder. Someone on here may give you more information.

FilthyLuka

Jenny
as youve probably already found out theres no reasons why building control would refuse any of your proposals - planning department is different (completely different to building control dept), they can say no (but what you propose probably wont need planning - but do contact them to check)

most things can be built, if its simple fantastic, if your situation is complex then it takes more time(and money) to find the right techncal solution

you will probably need a Structural Engineer for the structural opening to calculate the size of the beam and have it approved by building control

galenvanbrok

As a structural engineer myself I'd say don't be scared to call you local building control officer, go to your council website and theyll have a direct number, call in the afternoon though as theyll be out on inspections in the morning and Im sure theyll be happy to give you advice over the phone.

If your looking for an engineer ask the BC officer if he knows of anyone that would do the calcs you need rather than go to the yellow pages.

Youll want to do a buildng notice submission, the application form will be probably downloadable from the council website. After you submit it with your application fee you can start the work in 48hours.

If you don't get BC approval for your works no ones going to come and pull your house down but if you ever decide to sell you house the buyers solicitor will jump on you for a certificate for any alterations. You can get building approval retrospectively but the risk is that the inspector might want to see something hidden in the wall and so you might have to knock lumps out of the house that your in the process of selling!

hazeyj

Hiya, dont forget if its a leasehold flat you will need to get the approval of the freeholder in writing before you can go ahead. Good luck with all your forthcoming jobs!

JennyW_2

hazeyj wrote:

Hiya, dont forget if its a leasehold flat you will need to get the approval of the freeholder in writing before you can go ahead. Good luck with all your forthcoming jobs!

yes we have written approval from the freeholder. This was done as an additional to the lease before we exchanged