Changes to Building Regulations affecting older applications that do not commence work on site by 15 June 2023

If you submitted your building regulation application before 15th June 2022 but do not start building work by 15th June 2023, you may need to update your building design specification in order to meet the new requirements.
 
Significant changes to building regulations took effect on 15th June 2022.  These include new increased standards of insulation and ventilation in all buildings, and measures to prevent buildings overheating in new build residential. In addition to this, all new buildings must also include provisions for charging points for electric vehicles.  When changes to the building regulations are made it is normal for a transitional period to apply, during which time the existing regulations continue to apply to works already planned or in progress.
 
The new standards will not apply to building work where a ‘building notice’ or a ‘full plans applications’ was deposited with Local Authority Building Control before 15th June 2022 providing that building work has started before 15 June 2023.

What should you do?
 
If you previously submitted a ‘building notice’ for your proposed project, ensure that your builder is aware of the changes to building regulations relevant to your building work.
 
If you previously submitted a ‘full plans’ building regulation application, then in order to retain ‘full plans’ application status you may need to provide building control with updated and revised specification details to demonstrate compliance with the changes to building regulations which have taken effect since your original plans and specifications were examined and approved. 
 
Your Agent will be able to advise you if design changes are required for your project due to the changes in building regulation standards.
 
Your assigned building control surveyor will be able to advise whether an additional charge will be payable for building control to recheck your plans/specifications once changes/additions are made by you/your Agent.
 
As an alternative to submitting updated plans/specification for ‘full plans’ applications, if your proposed works relate to an alteration or extension of an existing single dwelling, then you may discuss with your assigned building control surveyor the option of switching to a ‘building notice’ application.  Whilst you will still need to build to achieve the new improved standards, you will not be required to submit revised plans and specifications to building control setting out your intentions.  The application may still be issued with a building regulations completion certificate at the end of the project but will no longer benefit from notice of passing plans, which is not a legal requirement.  
 
If your original full plans application related to building works other than an extension or alteration to an existing dwelling you will need to submit amended plans/specifications if the changes in regulations are relevant to your project.
 
For building regulation applications covering multiple building plots, any plot which does not commence building work before 15th June 2023 will need to comply with the building regulation standards which became effective on 15 June 2022.