Building control

What is building control?

The requirement for the supervision and control of building work
A service carried out by local authority or approved inspectors
All building work carried out should meet current building codes and regulations

Services we provide

Building control regulations

The Building Regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings, primarily to ensure the safety and health for people in or around those buildings, but also for energy conservation and access to and about buildings.

The current Building Regulations cover the following principal areas:

Structural stability – the building must safely carry anticipated loadings
Fire precautions – controlling the materials used according to the degree of risk and ensuring buildings could be evacuated without loss of life in the event of fire
Prevention of dampness and condensation in buildings
Sound resistance of walls and floors between dwellings
Ventilation of habitable rooms and unheated voids
Hygiene, sanitary appliances and drainage
Heating appliances, including the safe discharge of flue gasses
Stairways, ramps and vehicle carriers
Conservation of fuel and power e.g., is the building properly insulated?
Access to buildings and facilities for disabled people
The safe positioning of glazing in windows and doors
Electrical work in relation to a dwelling

Building control news

June 2011 newsletter

View the latest edition of the Building control newsletter (November 2011) (PDF 834KB)

Building control applications

Building control - dangerous structures and public safety

If any building or structure is considered to be in a dangerous condition, Building Control Surveyors are responsible for ensuring that the danger is removed to protect occupiers and the general public.

In the first instance the owner will be informed of the extent of remedial works required. Failure to execute the works within a specified time period may lead to the Council taking legal action in the interests of public safety. In extreme circumstances the Council can invoke emergency powers to require the building or structure to be made safe or demolished immediately.

The Local Authority are permitted to recover the costs associated with any such measures undertaken in an emergency from the owner of the building. We operate a 24-hour call-out system for all emergencies including dangerous structures.

Building control - demolition

Under Section 80 of the Building Act 1984 when intending to demolish a building, notice must be be given to the Local Authority which is usually a minimum of six weeks prior to work commencing.

You should fill in our Demolition Notice form, or otherwise submit your intention in writing. This notice must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the proposed demolition. Failure to do so is a contravention of the above Act and may result in prosecution.

A location plan of the building and adjoining streets must be provided together with a method statement for the demolition of larger buildings.

A copy of the notice should also be sent to statutory undertakers in order that they may arrange for their services to be properly sealed and other interested parties such as the occupier of any adjacent building.

A demolition can start after the Building Control Service has issued a local authority counter notice, or six weeks from the date the notice of intent was served.

Street naming and numbering

Building control - land drainage

Central Bedfordshire Council’s role as Local Land Drainage Authority is defined under the Land Drainage Act 1991.

The Council has permissive powers which can be used to ensure that ordinary watercourses are maintained in such a condition as to allow the free flow of water. These ordinary watercourses can be streams or ditches which may be piped or culverted. Most watercourses are in private ownership and the Council may use its powers to require owners to undertake clearance work.

The Council provides information and advice to householders regarding flooding and land drainage problems and has powers to implement schemes to alleviate flooding. All reported flooding incidents are recorded in a database which is used to prioritise investigations and possible land drainage improvement schemes.

To report a land drainage problem or for further information please contact the Building Control team:

Email: Building.control@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 300 8635