Building regulations
The Building Regulations 2000 (as amended), 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. In addition, the regulations
promote energy efficiency in buildings and contribute to meeting
the needs of disabled people.
Building work as defined in the regulations, includes new
buildings, extensions, alterations, certain changes to the use of a
building, providing fittings such as drains, heating appliances,
washing and sanitary facilities and unvented hot water systems.
These all require building regulation approval.
The requirements are expressed in broad terms to allow designers
and builders maximum flexibility in preparing their plans. They
consist of thirteen Parts (A-H and J-N) and each part is supported
by a separate “approved document” which contains guidance on ways
in which the requirements can be met. There may however be
alternative ways to comply and therefore there is no obligation to
adopt any particular solution in an approved document.
What are the building regulations?
The general advice section of this
site may contain the information you are looking for. Alternatively
you can read the Planning
Portal's explanatory booklet.
The
Communities and Local Government's website also provides
further information about the Building Regulations
Exemptions from the building regulations
There are certain buildings and work that are exempt
from building regulations. This is generally because they are
buildings controlled by other legislation and include:
- buildings not frequented by people
- conservatories, greenhouses and agricultural buildings
- temporary buildings (intended for no more than 28 days)
- certain small detached buildings
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 offices (PDF, 110K)