Cheltenham and Tewkesbury building control

Category: Newsletters

December 2024 newsletter

Welcome to our newsletter, see below for updates on recent changes to the Building Regulations and technical advice. For any queries or to discuss any of the below articles please contact the office on the contact details at the end of the newsletter.

Connectivity plan

If you are constructing a new dwelling(s), please note that the application form must be accompanied by a connectivity plan to demonstrate how the dwelling(s) will be connected to a gigabit capable network. A model connectivity plan can be found in Appendix B of Approved Document R: Volume 1.

Re-roofs

Please note that when re-roofing more than 50% of a roof, an application to building control may be required. Insulation will need to be upgraded where technically, functionally, and economically feasible. For more information contact us.

Strucutral engineer’s design for dormers

Please note that dormers will need to have structural engineer’s design to include the trimming arrangement of rafters, triangulation of roof, and the timber frame studs and lintels.

Duty holder completion forms

Please note that all duty holders are required to sign and complete the relevant sections on the completion form on all jobs. Signatures are required for clients, principal contractors, and principal designers. This form should be returned to building control within five days of completion of works.

New website is live!

Our new website is now up and running at ctbuildingcontrol.co.uk. On it you will find links to our application forms, duty holder forms, FAQs, the latest news and more.

New application forms

Following the changes in legislation that came into force this year, we have created new application forms. Please fill in all sections on the new application forms. All information is relevant and is required due to the changes that came into force in April 2024. Failure to do so may delay the validation process.

As always, the team are here to help so please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance or guidance.

You can also download this newsletter as a PDF.

18/12/2024
September 2024 newsletter

Welcome to our newsletter, see below for updates on recent changes to the Building Regulations and technical advice. For any queries or to discuss any of the below articles please contact us.

Spring seminars update

Our Spring seminars on the recent changes to the Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act were presented to more than 70 partners, architects, developers, and builders. Thank you to everyone who attended; if you would like to attend future seminars, please keep an eye out for invitations sent via email. See our brief news article on the seminar and contact us if you would to receive the PowerPoint slides.

New Part T of the Building Regulations

Coming into force on 1 October, Part T of the Building Regulations ensures that all buildings (other than dwellings) are provided with male and female single-sex toilets, or where space precludes provision of single-sex toilets, universal toilets. For more information and to understand the limitations of this, see the Toilet accommodation Approved Document.

Granny annexes

Following consultation with other local authorities in Gloucestershire and the West of England, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Building Control will now treat the erection of detached granny annexes as new dwellings This means that all the relevant legislation that applies to new dwellings will apply to granny annexes. These are to be treated as new dwellings as there is no specific mention of granny annexes in the Building Regulations, therefore a detached new build is to be treated as a new dwelling. To be classed as a dwelling, a granny annex should have a place for sleeping, a bathroom and a kitchen. To discuss an application for a granny annex and for some pre application advice contact us on the details below.

Download the LABC site inspection app

The app allows you to book site inspections. Make sure that you have the latest version installed. Download the LABC app now.

As always, the team are here to help so please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance or guidance.

You can also download this newsletter as a PDF.

26/09/2024
April 2024 newsletter
Welcome to our newsletter, the deadline for change is upon us. Please read the newsletter for information on some of the biggest changes happening across the industry. Please also note that our Spring Seminar will be held later this year; for more information see below…

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) extends the competence assessment period deadline

The previous deadline of 6April for all building control professionals to be registered with the BSR, has been extended by 12 weeks. This means that a building control professional, who is yet to receive confirmation that they are registered with the BSR can continue to operate until the 6July if they meet the following criteria:
- they are an existing building control professional
- they are registered as a class 1 registered building inspector (RBI) by 6 April 2024
- they are enrolled in, and in the process of having your competency assessed through, one of the BSR approved competency assessment schemes by 6 April 2024
- a scheme provider has not told them that they have not passed their competency assessment for a second time
The classes of registration consist of four distinct classes:
- Class 1 – Trainee building inspector
- Class 2 – Building inspector (split into a domestic and a general category)
- Class 3 – Specialist building inspector
- Class 4 – Building inspector (technical manager)
For further information see the inspector framework.

Standard and non- standard building(s)

As part of your application submission, you must now identify on the application form if a building or project is standard or non-standard. Only a Class 3 Registered Building Inspector (RBI) can undertake work on higher- risk buildings (HRBs) or non- standard buildings. The following examples are not exhaustive and are possible indicators of standard and non-standard buildings.

A standard building could cover common construction methods such as cavity masonry, timber frame, or solid masonry.

Non-standard builds could include those buildings not fitting the notional set of common and long-established building methods, for example, modular construction, panel systems, or cross-laminated timber. Additionally, the building design or method of construction may not follow the approved documents and/or any supporting standard(s) or code(s) that are directly referenced as part of the guidance in an approved document, during the building control approval process or during an inspection, for example a scheme that requires a fire engineered solution.

Consultation with the sewerage undertaker

A full plans application along with a full set of drawings to allow a plan check to be carried out is required where H4 of the Building Regulations 2010 applies. This means that where works are to excavate a new foundation for an extension or building, or underpinning is to be carried out within 3 metres of a public sewer, as shown on the sewerage undertaker’s maps, a consultation with the sewerage undertaker is required. Before any works have begun on site, the consultation must be carried out and a response received from the sewerage undertaker.

For further information please contact building control as per details below.

Site plans required at submission of application

A reminder that every application, building notice or full plans, that consists of an erection or extension of a building, must be submitted along with a site plan of no less than 1:1250. There are further requirements which can be found by reading Regulation 13 of the Building Regulations.

Download the LABC site inspection app

Make sure that you have the latest version installed. Download the LABC app now.

Cheltenham and Tewkesbury building control seminar

We will be holding a seminar in the Spring to discuss changes to the building regulations. The seminar will be held in the council chambers at the Municipal Offices, Cheltenham Borough Council. Please email matthew.groves@cheltenham.gov.uk if you would like to be added to the attendee list.

As always, the team are here to help so please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance or guidance.

You can also download this newsletter as a PDF.
22/04/2024
February 2024 newsletter

Welcome to our newsletter, the year of implementation has begun! There are lots of important changes coming into force over the following year across the whole industry. Look out for our seminar being held in the Spring; dates to follow…

The Building Safety Levy consultation is underway

This consultation, which ended on 20 February, sought views on the design and implementation of the Building Safety Levy. The levy will be paid by developers and charged on new residential buildings requiring building control approval in England, for the purpose of meeting building safety expenditure.

Find out more about the Building Safety Levy consultation.

Transitional arrangements for dutyholder responsibilities from 6 April 2024

In April 2024 if works on any building, with an application to building control submitted before October 2023, have not commenced the application will then be subject to the changes in legislation detailed in last month’s newsletter.

In our borough’s this is likely to mean that clients will have to nominate principal designers and contractors and that the dutyholder responsibilities, set out in the building regulations, will apply.

Please also note that these transitional arrangements also apply to higher-risk buildings, meaning if works have not “sufficiently progressed” by 6 April, to an application submitted prior to October 2023, then the application will revert to the building regulator.

Find out more about these changes to the building control process.

Fire doors in loft conversion and new dwelling houses and flats

Following the cessation of the Building Control Alliance this year, the guidance for the use of fire doors in dwellings has been withdrawn. This means that in a typical dwelling where the conversion of a loft has created a three-storey dwelling house, FD20 doors are required. These can be fitted into existing frames provided that the door is installed to manufacturer’s guidance, ensuring the correct hardware is installed and that gaps around frames are kept minimal. Remember that the stairway is to be protected with a 30-minute fire resisting enclosure, meaning the upgrade of walls may also need to be carried out.

Upgrading of existing doors is still permitted but will require a self-declaration certificate from the manufacturer of the upgrade systems upon completion of works.

In new dwelling houses or flats, fire doorsets are required which means fire door frames, leaves and hardware etc. will have to be installed to the manufacturer’s guidance. This is because doorsets will have been tested to BS 476- 22, any changes to the system may void the fire resistance of the doorsets.

Structural engineer’s design for roofs where vaulted ceilings and large roof lights proposed

Did you know that we may require a structural engineer’s design for certain high collared/ vaulted roofs. Where triangulation to the roof is not provided with ceiling joists in the bottom third of the rafter, a structural design may be required for the ridge beam or connection details of high collar ties. A structural engineer’s design may also be required where large roof lights are proposed meaning multiple roof members are omitted.

When in doubt, please contact us for further advice.

Structural calculations check

When submitting structural design and calculations, please note that these may be subject to a check by building control where it is found that the calculations have been produced by somebody without the relevant skills, qualifications, or experience. This will incur an additional fee.

Remember to book a full set of inspections

Do not forget to read the acknowledgement letter which is sent out by our office on receipt of an application; this letter will detail which inspections are required. Failure to notify at these stages may result in works being uncovered to demonstrate compliance.

The LABC Inspection app has been updated!

Make sure that you have the latest version installed. Download the LABC app now.

Cheltenham and Tewkesbury building control seminar

We will be holding a seminar in the Spring to discuss changes to the building regulations. The seminar will be held in the council chambers at the Municipal Offices, Cheltenham Borough Council. Please email matthew.groves@cheltenham.gov.uk if you would like to be added to the attendee list.

As always, the team are here to help so please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance or guidance.

You can also download this newsletter as a PDF.

06/03/2024
January 2024 newsletter

Welcome to our newsletter. Firstly a Happy New Year we hope you enjoyed the festive season and well earned break. We would like to take the opportunity in thanking you for your business in 2023 and look forward to working with you in 2024.

2023: The year of change

As you are aware from our newsletter in October 2023, amendments to The Building Regulations 2010 have been made which came into force from 1 October.

2024: The year of implementation

Amendments made to the Building Regulations October 2023 are now well in affect and will continue to shape the building control industry. We would urge you to familiarise yourself with the changes if you haven’t already that were made as these will affect all applications subject to Building Regulations. The information can be viewed in the link above.

View the government correspondence on changes to the building control process.

A reminder on Dutyholder(s) roles and responsibilities

Changes to the legislation now introduces the role of the Dutyholder(s) and competency requirements for those parties involved to all building works (not just HRB). Client responsibilities for compliance will require them to ensure suitable arrangements are in place for the planning, managing and monitoring of the works being undertaken to meet the regulations. Dutyholder declarations were sent out previously, if you require a copy please contact us.

Regulations relating to Dutyholders (Regulations 11A-11Q) came in to force on 1 October 2023 and applies to all projects where an application was deposited after this date it may also affect projects where an application was submitted prior to this date. If your project has not started by 6 April 2024 then these regulation will apply to your project.

A new website coming soon

We are currently working on a new independent website for the Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Building Control Service which will contain information on the service we provide and links to supplementary information. Watch this space…

Radon

The BRE211 radon guide has been amended and a new version available. The information contained within this document now requires the use of a 1600gauge or 400microns thick radon membrane where an extension or new build is found to be within a radon area. It cannot be a recycled membrane. Therefore we will not be accepting a 1200gauge membrane as a suitable membrane for radon protection.

Any radon report for a new house will need to be site specific, a post code survey will be acceptable for extensions. The Radon maps have also been amended. View the maps and details on how to purchase a radon report.

As always, the team are here to help so please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance/guidance.

You can also download this newsletter as a PDF.

08/01/2024
October 2023 newsletter
Welcome to our newsletter, providing information on the changes in legislation made with effect from 1 October 2023. We appreciate there will be new challenges in the coming weeks and months and the team at Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Building Control available to offer help and advice with any issues you may experience..

The Building Safety Act: secondary legislation

Amendments to The Building Regulations 2010 have been made which came into force from 1 October 2023.

It is appreciated that the interpretation of the legislation can take some reading but we will attempt to highlight some key changes as follows.

Applications to the Building Safety Regulator

Building Regulation applications for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRB) must now be made to the BSR who are the Building Control Authority for works relating to:
- A residential building (two or more residential units) with a floor that is 18m or above ground level or at least seven storeys.
- Hospitals or care homes with a floor that is 18m or above ground level or at least seven storeys.
Dutyholder(s) roles and responsibilities

Changes to the legislation now introduces the role of the Dutyholder(s) and competency requirements for those parties involved to all building works (not just HRB). Client responsibilities for compliance will require them to ensure suitable arrangements are in place for the planning, managing and monitoring of the works being undertaken to meet the regulations.

A declaration of completion form has been included with this newsletter which will need to be submitted as part of the process to enable a completion certificate to be issued.

We have also produced / attached an A4 guide titled ‘Notification of changes to the Building Regulations’ which provides further guidance as to the requirements (Part 2A) as set out in the legislation which can be read on the link shown above.

Application for building control

Works other than those described above can still be made to building control however in light of the changes, additional information is now required. A revised application form has been attached as part of this overall pack.
- Applicant, client, agents and builders details required (and will link in with the declaration of completion form).
- The time period to issue an approval for Full Plan submission has been amended.
- The definition of commencement of works has been included (and will link with planning / transition periods). Please note – notification of inspections will not change i.e start on date, foundation inspections etc.
- Applications made by an agent, builder etc must also be signed by the client.
As always, the team are here to help so please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance/guidance.

You can also download this newsletter as a PDF.
14/11/2023