Building Control vs Planning Permission

As a Building Control Approved Inspector, one of the questions we receive the most is: “what is the difference between planning permission and building control?”.

Planning permission aims to guide the way areas develop and includes the way buildings appear and are used and the impact that the construction will have on the surrounding environment.

Meanwhile, the building regulations are designed to ensure that buildings are safe and use energy in appropriate ways and building control establishes that construction work is adhering to these rules.

Generally, when you begin a construction project, you will need some form of permission. Some projects require both planning permission and building control whilst others will only need one or the other.

For example, in a lot of cases, internal alternations will require building control but not planning permission. However, resurfacing your driveway will usually require planning permission but building control is not necessary.

When you should contact your planning department vs your building control body

We aim to provide a service that exceeds your expectations, but as a building control body, unfortunately, we are sometimes asked questions that need to be directed to your local planning authority instead.

Some common questions we receive include:

Does my extension need planning?

How far out can I build my extension?

How wide can I build my dormer?

If I add a window to my gable end do I need planning permission?

Such questions should be directed to the planning department at your local authority. We will always do our best to help you with any queries but ultimately the answers to planning questions are determined by the council.

However, if your question relates to the construction of your project or how the building regulations apply to your project, we are more than happy to help you.