Anyone who intends to carry out building work must notify the local authority of their intentions. This works as a separate process from the planning system. Generally speaking, even works that are exempt from planning approval still need to comply with the Building Regulations. Applicants can give ‘notice of intent’ by depositing either of the following:

• a Full Plans Application
• a Building Notice

Alternatively, if the work is being monitored or inspected by an Approved Inspector rather than a Building Control Officer, applicants have to serve an ‘Initial Notice’ on the local authority.

Once building has begun, the Building Control Officer or Approved Inspector carries out regular site inspections to monitor the work. If they discover that the requirements of the regulations are not being met in any way – known as ‘contraventions’ – the builder is required to rectify or, if necessary, demolish the work.