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Building Control Information
Building Control
What can Building Control do for you?
For what type of works do I need to make a Building Control application?
For what type of works do I not require Building Control approval?
What do I do, if I have carried out unapproved work without notifying Building Control?
Can I make a Building Control application without submitting plans?
How much time must my Builder give the Building Control Service prior to inspection?
Other approvals you may require
Building Regulations
The scope of the Building Regulations
Why do we need Building Regulations?
What is controlled by Building Regulations?
What is exempt from Building Regulations?
Will I need to comply with other Regulations?
Answering your queries
What can Building Control do for you?
This Building Control Service aims to provide an impartial, independent and professional assessment of your application to ensure that the proposals meet the requirements of the regulations. Depending on the quality and complexity of the application, the application should normally be assessed within 28 days.
Before proceeding with any work, you should contact the Building Control Service by telephone on 028 9049 4610 for clarification and any further information required.
For what type of works do I need to make a Building Control application?
Anyone intending to carry out work to which Building Regulations apply must lodge an application with their Local Building Control Office. Some examples of such work are:
- Erecting a new building;
- Extending an exiting building;
- Changing the use of a building, for example, houses to offices;
- Converting a roofspace or garage;
- Carrying out structural works, for example:
- Replacing existing walls, floors, roofs, stairs;
- Removal of chimney breast;
- Making two rooms into one;
- Installing cavity wall installation;
- Drylining walls or lining walls/ceilings with sheeting or boarding;
- Replacing fire doors.
- Provision of services or fittings, for example;
- Installation of a fire detection and alarm system (where required);
- Installation of central heating;
- Replacement/re-lining flues;
- New drainage including septic tanks;
- Installation of new sanitary appliances
These lists are not exhaustive.
What we require.
- A completed Full Plan application form;
- Two copies of plans, sections, construction details, site location plan and a block plan showing adjacent boundaries and adjacent buildings;
- A plan fee and where required an estimate of cost;
- For non-domestic work, a further two sets of plans showing compliance with fire safety regulations.
For what type of works do I not require Building Control approval?
There are certain which are exempted from requiring Building Control approval. These include:
- Certain porches, conservatories, open carports or covered areas being extensions not exceeding 30m2;
- Certain detached garages and single storey buildings not exceeding 30m2;
- Certain sheds not exceeding 15m2. Certain agricultural buildings;
- Fences, garden walls, gates;
- Certain greenhouses;
- Replacement windows (where essentially the same);
- Replacement boilers and fireplaces;
- Replacement sanitary fittings and drainage.
What do I do, if I have carried out unapproved work without notifying Building Control?
The value of your property may be affected if unapproved work is undertaken. Regularisation is the procedure which allows work which was completed without the plans and notices required by building Regulations being lodged with the Building Control Service. Such work often comes to light during the sale of a property when the vendor is asked to produce evidence of approvals. When the work complies, or is made to comply, with the Building Regulations which were in operation at the time of the completion of the unauthorised work, we can issue a "Certificate of Regularisation". It can be required for domestic, industrial or commercial work.
Can I make a Building Control application without submitting plans?
The Building Notice procedure allows work to be carried out without the submissions of full plans.
IT CANNOT BE USED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.
It can be used for the following:
- The erection of houses, flats and maisonettes.
- The extension or structural alteration of the above.
- The provision of services or the installation of fittings in connection with the above.
- The material change of use of a building to a dwelling.
What we require:
A completed application form detailing the following information
- A description of its work and its location;
- The intended use of the building
- The proposed means of drainage
- Specification for the materials to be used;
- The size of the building and its relationship to other buildings and to boundaries.
How much time must my Builder give the Building Control Service prior to inspection?
Building Regulations require the builder to give the Council prior written or verbal notice of various stages of work.
| Work |
Minimum Notice |
| Commencement |
2 Days |
| Foundation (excavation) |
2 Days |
| Foundation (concrete) |
2 Days |
| Materials or concrete or dpc/radon barrier laid over site |
2 Days |
| Before covering drains or sewars |
2 Days |
| After covering drains or sewars |
5 Days |
| After Completion |
5 Days |
| Before occupation |
5 Days |
However, the Building Control Service will endeavour to carry out any inspection received before 10:00 a.m. on the same day.
Other approvals you may require
Planning Approval
Your local office for Castlereagh council is:
The Divisional Planning Office,
Department of the Environment for NI,
Bedford House,
16-22 Bedford Street,
BELFAST,
BT2 7FD
Telephone: 028 9025 2800
Fax: 028 9031 2828
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service
'A' Division Headquarters,
6 Bankmore Street,
BELFAST,
BT7 1AQ
Telephone: 028 9031 0360
Fax: 028 9031 3226
'B' Division Headquarters,
92 Newtownards Road,
BANGOR,
BT19 1SZ
Telephone: 028 9127 1906
Fax: 028 9146 1041
Housing Grant Approvals
For the Castlereagh Borough Council area contact:
Northern Ireland Housing Executive,
Grants Office,
28 Court Street,
Newtownards,
BT23 3NX
Telephone: 028 9182 0600
Fax: 028 9181 3090
Septic Tank Discharge Approval
Environment and Heritage Service,
Environment Protection,
Calvert House,
23 Castle Place,
BELFAST
BT1 1FY
Telephone: 028 9024 5475
Fax: 028 9024 4700
The Building Control Manager would welcome any comments or suggestions in respect of the service provided. Should you wish to forward any comments for the continuous improvement of our service please contact the Building Control Manager at the address below:
Castlereagh Borough Council,
Building Control Service,
Civic & Administrative Offices,
Bradford Court,
Upper Galwally,
CASTLEREAGH,
BT8 6RB
Telephone: 028 9049 4613
Fax: 028 9049 4605
buildingcontrol@castlereagh.gov.uk
The scope of the Building Regulations
The Northern Ireland Building Regulations are legal requirements made by the Department of Finance and Personnel and administered by 26 District Councils. The Regulations are intended to ensure the safety, health, welfare and convenience of people in and around buildings. They are also designed to further the conservation of fuel and energy.
Guidance on how to do this can be found in Technical Booklets prepared by the Department of Finance and Personnel. Adherence to the methods and standards detailed in the Technical Booklets means that the work will be “deemed-to-satisfy” and must be accepted by Building Control as complying with the relevant Regulations.
A designer or builder can, however, use other methods, provided it can be demonstrated that the requirements of the Regulations have been met.
Why do we need Building Regulations?
The regulations help ensure that structures are built solidly and can be used safely. A Building Regulations application needs to be made when:
- Building a new dwelling
- Changing the use of a building
- Building an extension
- Changing the internal structure by removing supporting walls
- Installing a bathroom, shower, toilet or drains
- Installing heaters requiring flues, or installation of unvented hot water systems
- Building a new chimney or flue
- Converting a roofspace into a living acomodation or carrying out structural alterations within the roofspace
- Fitting new windows into the walls or roof
- Installing cavity wall insulation
- Underpinning foundations
- Recovering a roof with a heavier or lighter material
Note: Any building work associated with most types of structures, or work that involves the change of use of a building, usually requires a Building Regulations application to be made.
What is controlled by Building Regulations?
- Quality of Materials
- Site preparation
- Resistance to moisture
- Structural stability
- Fire precautions: means of escape
- Ventilation
- Energy conservation
- Sound insulation
- Stairs and ramps
- Heating
- Safety glazing
- Drainage
- Waste Disposal
- Facilities and access for people with special needs
- Cavity insulation
Note: These requirements apply even where Planning Permission is not required.
What is exempt from Building Regulations?
It is always best to check with the Borough Council's Building Control Staff before starting building work. The following work is generally exempt from the requirements of Building Regulations:
- A detached building, not forming living accommodation, of less than 30 square metres floor area, which is constructed of non combustible materials, or at least one metre from the property boundary.
- A single storey attached such as a porch, carport (open on two or more sides), conservatory with a glass or PVC roof, greenhouse, covered yard or way - all of which must be less than 30 square metres in floor area.
- Removal of non-load bearing walls, provided they are not required for fire separation
Will I need to comply with other Regulations?
Building work may still need Planning Permission, even when Building Regulations approval is not required. You should check with the Department of Environment Planning Service before you start your building project.
You should also be aware that other types of permission may have to be obtained or other legislation complied with. You may need to contact the water Service, Roads Service, Fire Authority, Housing Executive, Environmental & Heritage Service etc.
Answering your queries
The Borough Council's Building Control Staff are there to help you - please contact the Building Control Service for advice on your project, and how to make a Building Regulations application. You can find assistance on our website: http://www.buildingcontrol-ni.com
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