Building Control Overview
What is Building Control?
Isn't building regulations the same as planning permission? A common misconception.
Often people that are wishing to carry out building projects, extensions or new builds believe that by obtaining planning permission they can start the works with no further involvement of the local authority. Very often the proposed works also need plans and particulars to be submitted under the building regulations because they are what is termed as "controlled works".
The Central Government drafts the building regulations that are then implemented and enforced by the local authorities in their various districts or council areas. What lay behind these regulations is over a hundred years of public health acts culminating in the 1984 Building Act which is the empowering legislative document that enables the Building Regulations to be made, amended and implemented throughout England and Wales.
The building regulations are made to help ensure consistent standards in the construction of buildings to ensure, as far as practicable, that they are safe, healthy places to live and be in and that they are as energy efficient as reasonably possible. The Government has set targets for reduced energy use and increasing energy efficiency for buildings that is to achieve a 'zero carbon output' by 2016.
Contact Information
The building control section can be contacted for advice or information.
If you are having some building work done, the building control section at Boston Borough Council is staffed by professional, experienced and qualified surveyors with expert local knowledge.
For a flexible, common sense approach to building control and for pre-application advice, please contact us in one of the following ways:
- Telephone: 01205 314295
- E-mail: the building control team
- Post: Building Control, Municipal Buildings, West Street, Boston, PE21 8QR