You can use a full plans notice for all types of building work. The benefit of using it is that it can reduce problems once work starts on site.
Changes from 1 October 2023
The government has changed the process for a full plans application. You now need to include on the form more people involved in the project. This includes the role of duty holder, who has to confirm they will meet the requirements set out by the Building Safety Act 2022 at the application and completion stages.
This is so that all duty holders including owner, builder and designer have a direct responsibility to make sure the work meets the relevant building regulations.
About full plans notices
A full plans notice is a system of submitting plans and details of a project to us so we can check they comply with the building regulations.
The main advantage of doing this is that once we have approved your plans, you will receive an approval notice.
This can cut down on problems later because your builder can then work to those drawings knowing that they will comply with the regulations.
We can approve your application with specific requirements for which we will need to know further information about the project and to check that you have complied with the regulations. Generally these requirements will need to be approved by us, before a specific stage of work is started.
Who can apply for a full plans notice
Anyone can apply for a full plans notice.
When to use it
You can use it for all types of building work but you will have to use it for certain projects with a high fire risk, such as shops and offices.
We have provided a full plans checklist to help guide you through the process.
Fees
There are two lots of fees to pay. The first fee is for checking the plans and is payable on deposit. The second is an inspection fee and is payable after the first inspection.
How to apply for a full plans notice
Apply online
- Sign in or create an account for building control applications on the national planning portal website
- Start a new application and select that you want to apply for a full plans notice
- Once you've submitted your application, send us the fee using our secure online payment system, quoting your planning portal reference number
Apply by email
- Fill in and email to us a full plans notice application form
- You will also need to attach your plans to your email
- Pay the fee by making a building control payment on our secure online payment system
Apply by post
- Fill in and print out a full plans notice application form and post it to us
- For domestic work, you will need to send us one copy of the plans. For all other work, you will need to send us three copies
- Pay the fee by sending a cheque payable to 'Rushmoor Borough Council' with your completed form or if you prefer, you can pay for it online by making a building control payment on our secure online payment system
If we need more information, we will ask you for it.
What happens next
We must decide your application within five weeks, or longer if agreed in writing in advance. This is called an agreed decision date.
We will usually approve the application, with or without requirements, but we may reject it in some cases. For example, where you are not able to provide the necessary information by the agreed decision date.
Our aim is to check plans within 14 days and to approve them, if possible, within 5 weeks. We can only achieve this with the full and prompt co-operation of all parties involved.
When work is ready to start, you will need to let us know at least 48 hours before the actual start date. As your project progresses, we will inspect and record our visits, highlighting any issues with you.
We will agree with you when the required visits will take place. We will normally expect to see the work in person, although sometimes a photo is ok. But please don't assume that a photo can replace a formal inspection.
While your work starts on our first visit, the formal process of commencement must be agreed between us, before you start.
The regulations state that commencement:
- For a building extension or a new build, is when you have completed all substructure work
- For internal alterations (including loft conversions and garage conversions), it is after you have completed 15% of the total work. You will need to agree with us what makes up 15% of the total work
If you are not sure, please speak to one of the members of our team, who can help you.
Once we have completed our inspections and we are satisfied with the work you have done, we will issue a completion certificate.
You will also need to provide a completion declaration signed by all duty holders that you included in your application form. You have to do this before we can release the completion certificate.
Contact us