Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

How to apply for building regulations approval

There are two methods of applying for building regulations approval – either a full plans application, or by a building notice application. The inspection notification process and the total charge payable will be the same whatever method is used.

A full plans application is where drawings, details and other supporting information is submitted for checking and a formal decision notice is given.

A building notice application is a less detailed form of application where minimal information is initially required and no formal decision is given.  The process of achieving compliance is much more heavily weighted towards the work in progress.  This form of application is designed for minor domestic work where detailed plans are not felt appropriate.

More information about these two methods can be found in the Building Control customer application guide, which can be downloaded from the right of the page.

An application form for both methods, together with guidance notes on how to apply, can be downloaded from the right of the page. This needs to be filled in and sent together with the relevant fee to Building Control using the contact details on the right. You can check the details of charges using our Fee Calculator, which can be accessed from the right of the page.

Online submission

 We welcome submission of building regulation applications electronically.  Simply click on the IDOX link below and you will be taken to the start of the process.  You can choose the following types of application; Full Plans, Building Notice or Regularisation of Unauthorised Building Works.

NOTE - VAT is calculated at 17.50% and NOT 15% indicated on IDOX form

                              IDOX Link

 If you are using the online application for the first time you need to register, however, frequent users details can be stored securely and you also have the benefit of the 'My Submissions' function to track your applications.

Building Control charges

The Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 1998 require local authorities to set fees payable for carrying out their building regulation functions. These fees cover any necessary consultations, the checking of plans, all site inspections and the associated administration work.

NOTE:- The Vale of White Horse District Council will introduce new scheme of charges (in accordance with the Bulding Regulation 2010) to take effect on 1 October 2010.  The effect of the scheme is to introduce new charges for the recovery of the proper costs incurred in the Building Regulation process. Copies of the scheme of charges are available for inspection during normal office hours. Dated 1 September 2010

Full plans application

When making an application using this method the fee is divided into two stages:

Stage 1 - a fee is paid when the application form and plans are deposited.

Stage 2 - this is paid after the first site inspection. This is a one off fee that covers all of the inspections during the life of the project. After the first inspection an invoice will be raised and sent to you.

Building notice application

Should you decide to use this route then the full fee is paid when you submit your building notice (this is the combined plan fee and inspection fee).

We would recommend that you should be totally confident that the work will be undertaken as no refund is available should you change your mind.

Details of the charges for both these methods can be found in the application forms which can be downloaded from this page.