01900 702702
01900 702507

Allerdale Borough Council,
Allerdale House,
Workington,
Cumbria,
CA14 3YJ

Keywords for this page

approval, approve, building, build, buildings, regulation, regulations, internal, alteration, alterations, alter, altering, extension, extensions, garage, garages, glazing, glass, laminated, toughened, door, floor, area, porch, car, port, car-port, loft, lofts, conversion, convert, converting, window, windows, replacement, replace, replacing, repair, partition, joist, beam, chimney, breast, fire, escape, wall, walls, combustible, material, flat, underpin, under, pin, boundary, bath, wc, w.c., heating, appliance, appliances, hot, water, system, gas, corgi, house, housing, construct, construction
What is this for?
On this page: Electronic formsDownloadable documentsRelated linksContact information

Do I need Building Approval?

Do I need approval to build an extension to my house?

Yes, unless the extension is exempted (see below):

Conservatory

A conservatory must have glass or translucent roof. Attached to house and not exceeding 30 square metres in floor area. Certain glazed panels need to be of laminated or toughened glass. Check with building control

Garage

Detached. Not exceeding 30 square metres in floor area. More than 1 metre away from any boundary or substantially non-combustible.
Exempt house

Car port

Open on two sides (doors are not on side). Not exceeding 30 square metres in floor area.

Storm porch

Must be used for no other purpose. Certain glazed panels need to be of laminated or toughened glass, check with building control

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to convert my loft into a room?

Yes.
Back to top

Do I need approval to convert my garage into a habitable room?

Yes.
Back to top

Do I need Approval to make internal alterations within my house?

Yes, if the alterations are of a structural nature such as the removal of a load bearing construction - for example, a wall, partition, joist, beam or chimney breast. You also need approval if, in altering a three-storey house, work is necessary to maintain the means of escape in case of fire.
Back to top

Do I need Approval to install replacement windows in my house?

Yes, since April 2002, all replacement glazing has come within the scope of the Building Regulations. That means anyone who installs replacement windows or doors has to comply with strict thermal performances. (Just replacing glass is exempt).
When the time comes to sell your property, your purchaser's surveyors will ask for evidence that any replacement glazing installed after April 2002 complies with the new Building Regulations. There are two ways to prove compliance :-
1. a certificate showing that the work has been done by an installer who is registered under the FENSA Scheme or
2. a certificate from the Local Authority saying that the installation has approval under the Building Regulations.
Back to top

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to construct a detached garage?

No, provided its floor area is less than 30 square metres in total and it is either situated more than one metre from the boundary or is built substantially of non-combustible materials.

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to construct a car port?

No, provided its floor area is less than 30 square metres and it is open on at least two sides.
Back to top

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to provide a covered yard or covered way to my house?

No, provided the floor area is less than 30 square metres.
Back to top

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to construct a porch?

No, provided the floor area is less than 30 square metres and any glazing is toughened or laminated - please check with your Local Authority for details.
Back to top

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to construct a conservatory?

No, provided the floor area is less than 30 square metres, its roof is glazed with transparent or translucent material and any other glazing is toughened or laminated - please check with your Local Authority for details.
Back to top

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to construct certain detached buildings on my land?

No, provided they contain no sleeping accommodation and are:
(i) not more than 15m² in floor area; or
(ii) not more than 30m² in floor area and situated at least 1 metre from the site boundary or constructed substantially from non-combustible materials.
Back to top

Do I need Approval to carry out repairs to my house?

(a) No, if the repairs are of a minor nature and you are replacing like for like. This includes replacing the felt to a flat roof, repointing brickwork.
(b) Yes, if the repair consists of removing a major part of a wall and rebuilding it.
Back to top

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to turn my house into flats?

Yes.
Back to top

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to underpin my house?

Yes, this is a structural alteration.
Back to top

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to construct a boundary wall?

No, but this may change in the future.
Back to top

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to install or alter the position of a WC, bath etc?

Yes, where the work involves new drainage or requires alterations/connections to the existing drainage system either above or below ground.
Back to top

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to install or alter the position of a heating appliance?

(i) Gas, Yes, unless the work is carried out by an approved person under Gas Safety Regulations, i.e. CORGI registered installer.
(ii) Solid Fuel, Yes.
(iii) Oil, Yes.
Back to top

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to install an unvented hot water system?

Generally, yes. Ask your Local Authority for details.

 

Do I need Building Regulation Approval to re-roof my property?

Yes.
Back to top

Contact Information

For more information please contact Building Control.

Telephone Number 01900 702520

last updated Wednesday, January 02, 2008