Making an online building control application

After you have logged in, you will be presented with a welcome screen, showing the route to access  planning and building control applications. From building control applications, choose to either ‘Start a new application’, or ‘manage applications’ to access an existing application. On the next screen, there is a helpful switch to move between either service once the applications list is displayed.

You can now start to create a new building control application. Every application begins with five basic sections to complete:

1. Name – A name for your application, we suggest using the site address
2. Linking an application – You can choose to link your building control application with a planning application that you have submitted via the Planning Portal if you have one, this allows you to share the particulars for applicant name, site address and the location plan, which may be useful to you as a reference later
3. Location - Enter the post code of the site and select the address, this will allow us to identify the location of the work to which the application relates. The address you add here cannot be changed later. If you don’t have a postcode there are helpful grid reference alternatives to use instead.
4. Type - The type of application you require. There are three types:
   
   - Full plans: This is the most thorough option. You can expect a decision within 5 weeks, or 2 months with your consent. You’ll get a completion certificate within 8 weeks of completion of the building work as long as it complies.
   
   - Building notice: This type of application is only for smaller projects. You can start work 2 days after your notice has been submitted to your building control body. You don’t get formal approval like you do with full plans.
   
   - Regularisation certificate: You can apply for ‘regularisation’ - retrospective approval for work already carried out without consent - from a local authority building control body only.
5. Assigned building control body - By default, the authority local to you is ascertained from the postcode you entered for the site address. You can choose to apply to either the local authority or a registered building control approver that accepts applications from us. To apply to a registered building control approver instead of the local authority, select ‘Apply to a registered building control approver’.

Professional users with partnership agreements in place can choose to submit their applications (excluding regularisation certificates) to their partner authority. If you are having difficulty selecting, you may find our FAQ helpful: 'Why can't I submit to my chosen building control body?¹'

Once you have confirmed these basic details, your newly created application will be saved as a ‘Draft’ in your ‘Applications’ section and ready for you to start completing it, or to return to work on it later.

The ‘My Applications’ list can be accessed by logging in and viewing your applications on the ‘Applications’ screen.

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/building-control/why-can-i-no-longer-submit-an-application-to-my-chosen-building-control-body