We maintain high health and safety standards when buildings are being built or altered. We make sure buildings are accessible to everybody and designed to conserve energy.

Our service promise

When you contact us, we will:

  • respond within on working day
  • write back to you within fifteen working days
  • examine your plan within fifteen working days from the day we receive it
  • inspect your site on the same day if we get your call before 10am
  • issue Completion Certificates on your project
  • provide advice on ground conditions
  • suggest amendments to help you comply with regulations
  • provide you with information on local area
  • answer your questions in a helpful and courteous manner
  • provide advice on access and facilities for people with disabilities
  • Provide advice on building a fire escape on your property
  • provide advice on thermal insulation and energy conservation
  • provide advice on sports grounds safety

Our charter

  • check all Full Plan applications and Building Notice submissions and tell you if the plans do not comply with building regulations
  • inspect building work in the borough
  • give you information about upcoming inspections
  • give you the name and phone number of the surveyor dealing with your project
  • keep records of building work in the borough
  • investigate your concerns about safety at sports grounds and let you know the outcome
  • provide information about the history of alterations to your building if you are selling your property
  • deal sympathetically with applications made after work has been completed if it meets building regulation standards
  • provide surveyors at the Civic Centre between 9am and 10.30am, Monday to Friday, to talk to you about building regulations
  • make a decision on all Full Plan applications within  five-week or two months if we have agreed an extension

What you need to do

  • give us as much evidence as possible that shows you met the minimum standards of building regulations
  • give us as much notice as you can about when you need inspections
  • contact our surveyors before you build over any important part of the construction
  • make sure you use ladders, scaffolding and lighting in a way that provides safe access to the construction work
  • tell us about any building work you have carried out without telling us
  • let us know before 10am if you are going to miss, or be late for, an appointment
  • contact us before 10am if you want us to carry out inspections that day
  • allow some time before your appointment for a surveyor to finish inspecting your site
  • make sure you have the approvals and completion certificates for work done before you sell your property