Frequently Asked Questions

Read our Easy Guide which may help Download

Read our Easy Guide which may help Download

If the work involves the provision of a new or replacement flue or flue liner, or the provision of a new or replacement hearth, fireplace or chimney you will need permission. SPlease also refer to the question above  Do I need permission to install, replace or alter the position of any type of fuel burning appliance (including a gas boiler with a flue)?

If the work amounts to no more than alterations to fireplaces, hearths, flues and chimneys it may not be subject to the Building Regulations. It is vital that flues should operate efficiently, and that risks of the building catching fire or of people suffering burns should be minimised.

For specific information on your project please contact us.

If the installation is above ground the requirements will be applied to achieve adequate shielding of the tank from any surrounding fire and, in the case of an oil tank, containment of oil leakages so that ground water is not contaminated. Where new oil connecting pipework is proposed, a fire valve will be needed at the point where the pipe enters the building.

If you are installing an oil tank and/or connecting pipework and you employ an installer registered with OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry), you will not need to involve a Building Control Service, as they will do this for you.

In general, but with certain limitations, the registered installers may also carry out associated building work necessary to ensure that the appliance complies with the Building Regulations, without involving a Building Control Service . This may include work on a hearth, fireplace or flue.

The installer should provide you with information about the safety performance limits of the installation and also fix a notice plate in place, where it will be easily seen. If you are having a boiler installed, your installer should leave you with a completed installation record; a commissioning certificate such as the one produced by the BENCHMARK scheme; and a User Instruction Manual.

You will need permission for all gas appliances, however if you employ a GAS SAFE registered installer with the relevant competencies to carry out the work, you will not need to involve a Building Control Service as they will do all of this for you.

For solid fuel appliances you will need permission however if the building is no more than three storeys and you employ an installer registered with HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme) to carry out the work, you will not need to involve a Building Control Service, as they will do this for you

For oil appliances you will need permission however if the building is no more than three storeys and you employ an installer registered with OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry) to carry out the work, you will not need to involve a Building Control Service as they will do this for you.

Some minor work does not require permission, however any electrical work will have to be carried out and certified by a competent electrician or certified by a competent electrician at the relevant installation stages and an application will be required unless your electrician is also a member of a Competent Persons Scheme and is able to self-certify the work.

Your contract with the electricity distribution company has conditions about safety which must not be broken. In particular, you should not interfere with the distribution company’s equipment which includes the cables to your consumer unit or the cables up to and including the separate main isolator switch if provided.

It is important to toremember that if you electrcian is not a member of a competent persons scheme you will need to submit an application.

Yes – they will apply to new rainwater or foul drains inside as well as outside the building. The Building Regulations also apply to all non-mains foul sewerage arrangements (i.e. those using septic tanks), including their outlets and drainage fields.

Except in an emergency, your local authority should be given at least 24 hours notice of any intention to repair any underground drain (section 61 of the Building Act 1984).

Yes – if the installation of the fitting or fittings will involve alterations to, or new connections to, a drainage stack or an underground drain. You should also check with your Building Control Service to find out how much information is required about the fittings you intend to use.

No – provided the work only involves installing an additional fitting or fittings in the same or a new location which does not involve extensions to the drainage pipework.

This is defined as Building Work and will require permission. The requirements will be applied so as to ensure that the underpinning will stabilise the movement of the building, paying attention to the effect on any sewers and drains near the work.

This is defined as Building Work, so will require permission however it is more than likely your installer will be able to carry out this work and inform CNC on your behalf.

If the repair work is significant, or the building is thatched then the Building Regulations may apply. However if the repairs are of a minor nature you will not need permission.

If you are unsure please contact us for specific information.

If you are replacing the whole of the fixed frame and opening parts you will need permission.  However if the work is to your home and you employ a FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme) registered installer, you will not need to submit a full plans application or building notice, as this will be dealt with by your installer and you will be provided with a certificate of compliance by the installer.

If the work is to repair or replace some of the window then you will not need permission.

Please note you will need to make a formal application for the work if you are altering the structural opening size (larger or smaller) and in mostinstances, if your building is listed nationally or locally in some way, for its architectural or historic interest and/or is located in a sensitive urban or rural environment, you will need to make a formal application for the work.

If you are unsure please contact us for information.

Yes, this is a material change of use and requirements specify the whole or part of the building must comply. The whole, or at least part, of the building may therefore need to be upgraded to make it comply with the specified requirements, please contact us for specific information on your conversion.

Yes, this is a material change, so you will need permission to convert your house into flats. The whole or part of the building must comply. It is possible that the whole or part of the building may therefore need to be up-graded to make it comply with the specified requirements, please contact us to discuss your conversion.

It is very likely that you will need permission if there is a structural or material alteration to the building. Please contact us to discuss you specific alterations.

Yes, you will require permission to carry out a loft conversion, please contact us for information on your conversion.