Building Control at Purbeck
Building Regulations apply in England & Wales to promote high standards of building construction and energy efficiency, whilst taking into account health and safety and the needs of all people. Purbeck District Council has a general duty to ensure that building works comply with The Building Act 1984 - Building Regulation 2010.
We have produced a leaflet, Building Control Explained (pdf, 2Mb) (opens in a new window), which briefly explains what work that can be carried out without making a building regulation application and the process if an application is required.
Making an application
We now have one generic application form (pdf, 378kb) (opens in a new window) that covers all the different types of Building Regulation Application. The guidance notes (pdf, 83kb) (opens in a new window) will help you complete the form. Please answer every question (if applicable) as accurately as possible. From the 1 April 2013 we will only be accepting applications received with a completed copy of our form (pdf, 378kb) (opens in a new window). We will not accept any alternative forms such as those provided by Submit-A-Plan.
If you need any assistance in completing the form please contact us.
Fees
Following changes made by the Government, we have altered the way we calculate our Building Regulation application fees. Our new fees are based on the number of hours we anticipate spending on an application. We will take into account:
- the time taken to process the application in the office;
- the cost of checking structural engineers plans/calculations;
- an estimate of the number and types of inspections that will be carried out.
We still have a list of standard fees (pdf, 174kb) (opens in a new window). However, as with all our fees now, if the works go beyond our estimates, the additional costs will be forwarded on to the applicant.
If you application does not fit one of these standard fees, please check with us prior to an application being submitted what the fee will be.
When we register the application we will provide you with a list of the inspections. It is important that the applicant is aware that it is ultimately their responsibility to make sure we are contacted at the notifiable stages to come and inspect the work. If inspections are made and the work is not acceptable or the builders are not ready, we will charge for further inspections.
Our aim in changing these fees is to have a more transparent service, where every party involved will have a clear understanding as to what is being provided for the fee. We hope it will also cut down on the number of unnecessary inspections (e.g. where works are not up to standard or ready) and effectively streamline our service.
Charges for copying documents
The Council are able to provide copies of approval documents and completion certificates (if issued) on applications dating back to November 1992. There will be a charge £10.00 per address.
Electronic Applications
We are able to accept electronic applications. If you wish to do this please ensure all correspondence and drawings are received in the same format throughout the application process. You can submit your application electronically by emailing the documents to buildingcontrol@purbeck-dc.gov.uk. Please note the application can not be registered until payment of the required fee has been made (by cheque or over the telephone).
Inspections
When an application is registered the applicant will be informed of the visits that will be carried out. We must be notified to be able to carry out these inspections. We aim to try and carry out same day inspection (if contacted before 10:30am) however the more notice you can give us enables us to organises our visits in advance.
Demolition
When a building over 1750ft3 (approximately 50m3) is to be demolished, there is a requirements under Sections 80-83 of the Building Act 1984 that the Council is informed of the work. This is to enable all appropriate people and organisations to be advised of the proposed demolition and to ensure that measures to protect the public and/or to preserve public amenities are put in place. Please complete and return the demolition notice form (pdf, 72kb) (opens in a new window) .
Contact Us
The building control officers at Purbeck can normally be contacted between 9.00am to 10.30am and from 3.30pm onwards (officers are out on site in between these times). If you have a query about any application(s) then please contact a member of our Building Control Team
Paul Taylor (MBEng) - Senior Building Control Officer: 01929 557272
Rob Blake (MBEng) - Senior Building Control Officer: 01929 557225
Naomi Heys - Building Control Technical Officer: 01929 557307
E-mail enquiries to: buildingcontrol@purbeck-dc.gov.uk
Fax: 01929 557338
Alternatively, you can make an appointment to see an officer at the council offices in Wareham.
Office: Westport House, Worgret Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4PP
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