How to apply

Before you apply

At the start of any project you must consider whether you need building control approval. You also need to think about what type of application suits your proposed work.

Types of building control applications

  • Full Plans - this is the most thorough option and requires detailed drawings to be submitted. The plans are checked and an approval notice is issued, usually within 8 weeks or sooner if the plans are acceptable. The approval is valid for 3 years providing you start the work in this time. A completion certificate will be issued to confirm the work complies with the regulations.
  • Building Notice - this is a simpler procedure designed for smaller projects. You can start work 2 days after your notice is submitted but you don’t get a formal approval. If the project involves specialist or complex elements then we can still request plans or other information as the work progresses. A completion certificate will still be issued at the end if the work is considered to comply with the regulations.
  • Regularisation - this is retrospective approval for work that has already been carried out without consent. Only work carried out after 11 November 1985 can be approved in this way and will require evidence to show the work complies with the regulations. This may require exposure, removal and/or rectification of works to establish compliance.

What to do when you are ready to apply

To apply you can complete an online application via the Planning Portal. 

To apply directly to Building Control fill in this online form:

Email contact: building.control@iow.gov.uk.

Building regulations application form explanatory information

What you need to know about the Building Safety Act when you fill in the form

The Building Safety Act 2022 has brought about important changes to:

  • the building regulations
  • the responsibilities for those that commission building work
  • the responsibilities for those involved in the design and construction process.

These changes include:

  • additional information required for applications to Building Control
  • changes to the definition of commencement of works
  • additional information required before a completion certificate can be issued

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) identify and place health and safety duties on:

  • those who commission construction work
  • those who are key in the design and construction process.

These duty holders are:

  • the Client
  • the Principal Designer
  • the Principal Contractor
  • designers
  • contractors

These new regulations will impose extra building safety duties on those duty holders.

Key roles and expectations

  • Client – this is the person who commissions the work. They are usually the developer or the building owner. They have a responsibility to ensure that the design work and the building work are completed under the building regulations. This will usually mean appointing people with the right competencies for the scale of the project. For domestic projects, the duty for compliance with the building regulations automatically transfers to the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor. This is unless an alternative written appointment is made.
  • Principal Designer – designer appointed to be in control of all the design work. They must plan, manage, and monitor the design work. They must also cooperate, coordinate, and communicate with other designers and the Principal Contractor. This is to ensure the design work, if built, complies with the Building Regulations.
  • Principal Contractor – a contractor appointed to be in control of all the building work. When there is more than one contractor the Principal Contractor should take responsibility for the site. They must plan, manage, and monitor the building work. They must also cooperate, coordinate, and communicate with other contractors and the Principal Designer. This is to ensure the building work complies with the Building Regulations.

Compliance Declarations

When the building work is completed the Client must provide the Building Control body with signed Compliance Declaration Notices. This must be done jointly with the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor.

The client must confirm that ‘to the best of their knowledge’ the work complies with the Building Regulations. The Principal Designer and Principal Contractor must also confirm that they have fulfilled their duties under Part 2A of the Building Regulations. This is now a legal requirement under the Building Regulations. The Completion Certificate cannot be released until these declarations have been received.

Commencement of works

There is still a requirement to notify Building Control when works start on site. This does not constitute a formal commencement as defined within The Building Regulations 2023 in relation to lapse of building control approval.

for the construction of a new building, or the horizontal extension of an existing building the building work is deemed to have commenced when the foundations, any basement level and the ground floor level construction are complete.

for all other work (excluding complex buildings) the work is deemed to have commenced when the client considers 15% of the work has been completed. This is detailed within the statement of proposed works as described on the application form.

Statement of consent

Where the application is not being submitted by the client, the Designer or Contractor will need to provide a “Statement of consent”. This needs to be signed and dated by the client. The Client needs to state that they agree that the application can be made and the information contained in the application is correct.

Domestic building control charges

Charges for standard domestic projects and small commercial schemes

How to pay

Payment can be made by:

  • credit / debit card by calling 01983 823580
  • BACS (details on request)
  • cheques made payable to ‘Isle of Wight Council’

You can apply online, in person or by post. 

Postal applications will incur an additional £25 administration charge.

Email building.control@iow.gov.uk for more information and a quotation.

Working with the Building Safety Regulator

From the 1 October 2023 The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) became the Building Control Authority for high risk buildings.

Isle of Wight Building Control will support the BSR in determining compliance with building regulations. Utilising a single hourly rate of £67.49. This rate will be kept under review and has been calculated to achieve applicable cost recovery. The rate is approved by the Councils Section 151 officer.


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