What is Building Control?

Building control is a non-profit service which provides various services to builders, architects and owners of building works for cost recovery level fees. Inspecting building work to ensure compliance with the building regulations by experienced building inspectors with excellent local knowledge.

As a local authority building control service, East Staffordshire Building Control ensures that relevant building work in list areas meets the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations. We do this through services which include stages of checking plans and carrying out regular site inspections of work through to completion.

The Building Regulations are a set of performance standards for England and Wales which apply to the design and construction of buildings. They cover health, safety and welfare.

Most building projects require a building regulations application to be submitted before work starts and they may also need a planning application. Planning permission is a separate process and relates to the siting, design, size, height and bulk of a development and its impact on neighbouring properties and the surrounding area. Applications for planning permission are assessed against national and local planning policies. You can find information on East Staffordshire Planning here.

Building Control Services

East Staffordshire Building Control provides the following services:

• Full Plans Applications – Providing plan checks and site inspections for compliance with the building regulations
• Building Notices – Carrying out site inspections for domestic works
• Regularisation of unauthorised works – Verifying commenced or completed unauthorised works adheres to the building regulations
• Partnership Authority Applications – Carrying out a Full Plans process in conjunction with another Local Authority
• Issuing of Section 81 Demolition Notices
• Assessing of dangerous structures
• Retention of some historical documentation (subject to GDPR requirements)
• Relevant and necessary enforcement action
• Street Naming & Numbering

On top of these regulatory services, East Staffordshire Building Control also offers:

• A team which is made up of highly experienced and qualified staff, who have a strong knowledge of the local area and resources.
• Next working day site inspections where requested before 3pm of the day prior.
• Speedy response time to enquiries, applications and other requests – usually within two working days or sooner.
• Affordable fees which are calculated on a not-for-profit basis, designed to cover costs for site inspections, administrative tasks and your final completion certificate
• Close links with other local authority departments, including Planning and Environmental Health
• Pre-application assistance to guide you through the building control process for your building work