Welcome to the Building Control Service of Castlereagh Borough Council.  

Castlereagh is one of the most progressive Borough’s in the Province, providing a high level of amenities for the increase in population and boasting the lowest rates in the Province.

It has therefore become a desirable place to live for commuters as it has good modern access routes leading in all directions and excellent retailing facilities. 

Growth in the Borough is due to a wide range of new developments, alterations and improvements, ranging from major retail developments to roof space conversions.

The aim of the Service is to deliver a customer orientated quality service to architects, designers, developers, builders, solicitors and the general public, and as such ensure a safer and healthier built environment for all.

The Building Control Service unit manager is Gordon Bratten.

He is supported by five full time Building Control Officers and two full time and one part time administrative staff.

Building Control Officers will provide assistance and advice on any Building Regulation matter. If you give the correct notices and keep in regular contact, you will avoid the difficulties associated with contraventions.

The Building Control Service has a responsibility for the application of Dangerous Buildings legislation, assisting with the processing of Property Certificates, and the provision of other technical advice to the Council.

         For a brief guide to building regulations click here

Area Building Control Officers

Area A Patrick Hobson Direct Tel: 028 90 494616 Email: patrickhobson@castlereagh.gov.uk
Area B David Currie Direct Tel: 028 90 494617 Mobile: 07703 360126 Email: davidcurrie@castlereagh.gov.uk
Area C Andrew Newett Direct Tel: 028 90 494614 Email: andrewnewett@castlereagh.gov.uk
Area D Seamus Lonergan Direct Tel: 028 90 464613 Mobile: 07786 338030 Email: seamuslonergan@castlereagh.gov.uk

What can Building Control can 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 on Telephone N  (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 Control Regulations apply must lodge an application with their Local Building Control Office.  Some examples of such work are:

• Erecting a new building;

• Extending an existing building;

• Changing the use of a building, for example, houses to offices;

• Converting a roofspace or garage;

• Carrying out structural works, for example:

1.  Replacing existing walls, floors, roofs, stairs;

2. Removal of chimney breast;

3. Making two rooms into one;

4. Installing cavity wall installation;

5. Drylining walls or lining walls/ceilings with sheeting or boarding;

6. Replacing fire doors.

• Provision of services or fittings, for example:

1.  Installation of a fire detection and alarm system (where required);

2. Installation of central heating;

3. Replacement/re-lining flues;

4. New drainage including septic tanks;

5. 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 and 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 works which are exempted from requiring a 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 in area;

•  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 have to 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 requested 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:

1.      The erection of houses, flats and maisonettes.

2.      The extension or structural alteration of the above.

3.      The provision of services or the installation of fittings in connection with the above.

4.      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 building 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 the 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 sewers	2 days
After covering drains or sewers	5 days
After completion	5 days
Before occupation	5 days

However, the Building Control Service will endeavour to carry out any inspection received before 10.00am 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 N(028) 9025 2800               Fax N (028) 9025 2828

Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

‘A’ Division Headquarters Northern Ireland Fire Brigade,

6 Bankmore Street, Belfast,  BT7 1AQ

Telephone No.  (028) 9031 0360           Fax No.  (028) 9031 3226

‘B’ Division Headquarters, Northern Ireland Fire Brigade

92 Newtownards Road,Bangor, BT19 1SZ

Telephone No. (028) 9127 1906       Fax No.   (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 N (028) 9082 0600    Fax N (028) 9081 3090

Septic Tank Discharge Approval

Environment & Heritage Service,  Environmental Protection

Calvert House, 23 Castle Place,  Belfast, BT1 1FY

Telephone N (028) 9024 5475     Fax N  (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 Bulding Control Manager at  address below.

 

Castlereagh Borough Council, Building Control Service,

Civic & Admin Offices, Bradford Court, Upper Galwally,

Castlereagh, BT8 6RB

Telephone N  (028) 9049 4613          Fax N  (028) 9049 4605

E-mail buildingcontrol@castlereagh.gov.uk