Start with the work, not the planning decision
A planning decision addresses whether a development is acceptable in planning terms. Building control considers compliance with the building regulations. Permission to build an extension does not approve its foundations, fire precautions or insulation. Conversely, building control approval does not grant planning permission. [1]
Describe the complete project when asking which requirements apply. A room refurbishment involving only decoration is different from one that removes structural walls, creates a bathroom, alters electrical circuits and replaces windows. Particular repairs, replacements and self-certified installations have different notification arrangements. [2] [3]
How compliance is demonstrated
The Approved Documents explain recognised ways of meeting different requirements, including structure, fire safety, ventilation, drainage and energy efficiency. They are guidance rather than a substitute for the regulations or a complete design for every building. Identify the relevant document, its edition and the scope of the work before copying a standard detail. [4]
For an ordinary project, the process normally involves an appropriate submission, examination of the design or work, site inspections and completion evidence. Some individual installations can instead be notified and certified through an authorised competent person scheme. That route only covers the work for which the installer is registered. [5] [6]
Choose the correct building control route
Most non-higher-risk projects can use the council or a registered building control approver. Work within the higher-risk building regime is overseen by the Building Safety Regulator, with its own approval process. Do not assume that an alteration inside one flat is outside that regime merely because the work is small. [1] [7]
The July 2026 government response discusses possible simplification for some higher-risk work. It does not itself create an exemption from BSR approval. [8]
A useful starting checklist
- List the existing building use and everything being altered, including services.
- Ask the designer to identify the applicable requirements and any exemption or self-certification route.
- Agree the submission, inspection and completion responsibilities before construction.
- Keep the approved information, inspection correspondence and certificates together. [9] [5]
Check dates as well as document titles
Published guidance can include provisions that have not yet commenced. The Future Homes and Buildings Standards introduce relevant changes from 24 March 2027, subject to transition rules and separate provisions for higher-risk work. The new-home standard is not a requirement to rebuild every existing home to the same specification. [10]