Different Types of Building Control ConsentHere you can find information about the different types of building control consents you can apply for. If you already know the application form you need, please go to application forms and charges.
Building notice application 
Building notice applications are usually used for smaller, straightforward domestic building works such as extensions or alterations. Details of the building works should be submitted to the building control team.
This type of application cannot be used in connection with schools, offices, shops or workplaces.
A building control officer visits the building works site at regular intervals to make sure that work in progress conforms to the Building Regulations.
You must notify us at least two working days before work commences on site.
The advantage of a building notice application is the speed with which the work can progress, but there is less certainty that the work complies with the Building Regulations and no formal notice of approval will be issued. If the work carried out does not comply with the Building Regulations this may incur problems, delays or costly remedial works.
Full plans application
A full plans application may be submitted for any building work but must be submitted for large buildings, schools, shops, offices, railway premises, factories and hotels. Unless you have a thorough knowledge of the regulations and building construction in general, it is advisable to seek professional assistance.
A full plans application is broken into plan assessment stage and site inspection stage.
Plan assessment
- Complete the full plans application form and submit detailed plans or drawings before work commences
- A plan checking officer will then check your plans or drawings to make sure that they comply with the Building Regulations
- Correspondence may be entered into to ensure compliance, prior to the issuing of an Approval Notice
Site inspection
- A building control officer visits the building works site at regular intervals to make sure that the work in progress conforms with the Building Regulations
- It is important to note that your building works must reflect the plans that have been approved by your plan checking officer in the plan assessment stage
- You must notify us in writing or using a
 commencement notice form (142 kb) at least two working days before you wish to start building works
- After work has started and a first inspection has been undertaken you will be invoiced for the building control inspection charge
- Once your plans and the final inspection prove that you have complied with the building regulations, Southwark building control will issue you with a Completion Certificate
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Regularisation applications
When building work has already been carried out after November 11 1985 without having building control consent, the works are considered unauthorised. Building control consent for these works can still be applied for through a process called regularisation.
After completing and sending in your regularisation application form, we will contact you to arrange a building control officer to inspect the property. The building control officer will let you know if anything needs to be done for a regularisation certificate to be issued.
It is important to note that sometimes it may be necessary that the applicant opens up and exposes parts of the work in order to prove compliance with the Building Regulations.
Section 30 applications
Certain special or temporary structures such as radio masts, stands for special events or tall freestanding walls require building control consent under Section 30 of the London Building Act (Amendments) Act 1939.
Consents are of unlimited duration or are renewable, depending on the amount of time the structure will be in existence.
Section 20 applications
If a building exceeds 25 metres in height or 7,100 cubic metres in volume, the council may require extra fire safety measures to be included in the building. 
These may include the provisions and maintenance of
- Fire alarms
- Automatic fire detection systems
- Fire extinguishing appliances and installations
- Effective means of removing smoke in case of fire
- The ability for the fire brigade to gain access to the building
Demolition applications
A new update to Section 80 and 81 of the Building Act 1984 requires that any person intending to carry out demolition works must give notice to Southwark building control.
The demolition contractor should submit a written demolition notice to the building control team before demolition works are to commence. The demolition notice must clearly state the following
- The location/address of the building(s) to be demolished set out on an OS Map
- A description of the nature of the works that are to be carried out
- The contact details of the demolition contractor if the demolition contractor does not serve the demolition notice
- That the demolition notice has also been served to any adjacent landowners
- That the demolition notice has also been served to British Gas Plc and the appropriate Area Electricity Company
No demolition work can be carried out until the council has issued a counter notice that outlines the conditions that you must comply with when carrying out the demolition works. This process can take up to six weeks.
A building control officer will also need to visit the demolition site on occasion(s) to ensure that the conditions of the counter notice, once issued, are being complied with.
The counter notice will clearly set out which inspections a building control officer will need to carry out. Please call us on 084 5600 1285 to book the relevant inspection.
Under Section 10(3) of the London Local Authorities Act 2004, Southwark Council is entitled to recover any expenses reasonably incurred under Section 81 of the Building Act 1984. An invoice for the expenses, which have been incurred by the council in this matter, will be forwarded at the completion of the job.
Further information
Southwark building control
Tel: 084 5600 1285
building.control@southwark.gov.uk
Chiltern
Portland Street
London
SE17 2ES
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm |