Building Control

Welcome to Epping Forest District Council Building Control

We are committed to protecting people & the environment by ensuring building projects comply with building regulations. We will carry this out by providing high quality customer service.

Building Control ensures that all new buildings are structurally safe and provide a healthy environment, as well as meeting the needs for energy conservation and access for disabled people. In most cases you will not only require Planning Approval to begin building work, but are also likely to require Building Regulation Approval.

The regulations also apply to certain changes of use of existing buildings. You may also need approval from the Council if the work you want to do involves building over a sewer or a drain. Please contact us to discuss specific requirements.

Building Control Information

BUILDING CONTROL FORMS

To apply for Building Regulations an application form must be submitted, and an appropriate charge is to be paid. The charges vary according to the type of application submitted and the extent of the work to be carried out. See the scheme below.

Full Plans submission will be required where the building work is to be carried out on non-domestic buildings.

Full Plans submission will be required where:

Domestic extensions are proposed unless it can be shown on the drainage plans submitted that the work does not require an agreement with Thames Water Authority.
Any new dwelling(s) proposed will be fronting a private road.

Either a Full Plans Application or Building Notice application may be made for all other domestic work.

Application for a Regularisation Certificatemay be made for building work previously carried out where no Building Regulation application has been made.

Following the legal status of drains since 1st Oct 2011, please contact Thames Water Utility for further information. http://www.thameswater.co.uk/.

Completed Forms should be sent (with payment and required documentation) to:

Epping Forest District Council
Building Control applications
Civic Offices
323 High Street
Epping
Essex CM16 4BZ

BUILDING CONTROL FEES

New fees from 4 January 2011

From 4 January 2011 Building Control charges will change. This is to reflect the national change in VAT rate from 17.5 to 20%. To view the new fees effective from 4th January 2011 including 20% VAT; click here (pdf, 0.1MB).

BOOKING INSPECTIONS

There are a number of ways that you can request a site inspection, click here for details.

BUILDING REGULATIONS PART P - ELECTRICAL SAFETY

From 1 January 2005 the design, installation, inspection and testing of electrical installations is controlled under the Building Regulations.

The new Part P applies mainly to dwelling houses and flats including gardens and outbuildings such as sheds, detached garages and greenhouses. A factsheet answering some common questions is available to download.

COMMON BUILDING CONTROL QUESTIONS

CONTACT US

For specific technical enquiries related to building control contact us by e-mail at ContactBC@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

EPPING FOREST/LABC SCHEME FOR THE RECOVERY OF BUILDING REGULATION CHARGES.

Local Authority Scheme for the recovery of Building Regulation Charges effective from 1st October 2010 To view the Epping Forest District Council Scheme for the Recovery of Building Regulation Charges and Associated Matters click here.

GOODWILL ADVICE

As well as applying for Building Regulations Approval, please remember you may also need the permission of others as well. A factsheet giving more details is available to download.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Image depicting Health and Safety

Working practices on construction sites are governed by the Construction ( Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) which are administered by the Health and Safety Executive. Please follow the link for more details of when they apply: CDM (Health and Safety Executive)

REPORT A DANGEROUS STRUCTURE

There are a number of ways that you can report a Dangerous Structure, click here for details.

LET US KNOW HOW WE ARE DOING

You can now complete our feedback form online, click here for details