Choices available when choosing a Building Control Body
  1. The majority of building work in England and Wales is required to comply with the Building Regulations – the current edition is ‘The Building Regulations 2000’ – although there are exemptions for small works and certain buildings as defined in Schedule 2 to the regulations. The Building Regulations deal with functional standards of design and building work for the construction of domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. They are designed to ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings; and in addition provide for energy conservation, convenience and welfare. A key part of the Building Regulations comprise specific technical requirements contained in Schedule 1 to the regulations. The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the National Assembly for Wales jointly publish a free explanatory booklet on the purpose and operation of the Building Regulations, which provides a general introduction to the regulations
  2. The information and advice in this guide is generally addressed in terms of the second person – i.e. ‘you’. Depending upon the context this should be taken as addressing either ‘you’ as the owner of the land or building for which building work is proposed and/or executed; or ‘you’ as the individual, professional adviser or company who has taken responsibility for complying with the Building Regulations and progressing the work through the procedures on a client’s behalf. As in all circumstances where building work is commissioned which must comply with the Building Regulations, it is essential to be clear from the outset about who is taking responsibility for ensuring that compliance and for dealing with the procedures set out in this guide..

The above text is an extract from A Guide to Determinations and Appeals and is Crown copyright and has been reproduced with the authority of the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The full text is downloadable from the ODPM website or free of charge from

    ODPM Free Literature
    PO Box 236
    Wetherby
    West Yorkshire LS23 7NB
    tel 0870 1226 236
    fax 0870 1226 237