Building control applications

The Tower Hamlets building control service is responsible for ensuring that all building work carried out within the borough complies with the building regulations.

Building regulations, which are made under the Building Act 1984, are designed to ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings by outlining requirements for building design and construction. Please also see the Health and Safety Executive's advice on safe working in construction.

In addition, the regulations promote energy efficiency in buildings and contribute to meeting the needs of disabled people.

What we do

• We ensure that all local building work meets minimum prescribed standards of health and safety
• We provide advice to people considering building works  
• We arrange for owners to access extensive historic premises records
• We determine building regulation applications
• We inspect building work in progress
• We issue completion certificates - essential when selling property
• We control demolition
• We deal with dangerous structures to preserve public safety

All work that falls within the statutory definition of building work requires consideration under the Building Regulations.

Depending on the type of building work being undertaken you can either submit a Full Plans application or a Building Notice. In each case there will be an associated charge to pay as outlined in our charges schedules.

How to contact building control

For all general enquiries please telephone the planning & building control hotline: 020 7364 5009

Building control offices
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 1BY

Fax: 020 7364 5265
Email: planningandbuilding@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Open: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday - except public holidays

Map and directions to planning office (PDF, 110K)