The process
Applications
Once you have submitted the LBC application form we will check the details and then submit an Initial Notice through London Building Control, Approved Inspectors to the Local Authority, who register the work for future land searches. Extensions and new builds will require a site location plan.
The LA require 5 working days for this check during which building work should not start on site (otherwise our Notice will be voided and the work will return to LA control).
The application form can be submitted to us by email (southoffice@londonbuildingcontrol.co.uk) or by post (1st Floor, Theatre House, Theatre Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1SS).
Fee
The relevant fee, which needs to have been agreed with us, should be submitted when you receive the Request for Payment.
A Fee Quotation can also be filled out on our Enquiry form on our website (preferably with plans and a description of works) or a fee can be agreed by e-mailing us. Fees are usually based upon the complexity of the work, the cost of works and the location of the site, and we believe are very competitive.
WE NOW ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS – just ring 0207 099 3631 to make a payment. Payment methods will be on the Request for payment ‘invoice’ sent to you when the application is processed.
Processing The Initial Notice
Once deposited by us at the council, the Local Authority should check the details of our Initial Notice within 5 working days – the LA can reject the notice if the details are found to be incorrect. If there are no objections to the IN format within this time works can then commence on site. (Note : Initial Notices cannot be used for retrospective works or works which have already commenced and it is therefore imperative that works should not be started prior to the IN being submitted to and accepted by the LA).
Clients may also request a Plans Certificate, which means that the plans and details provided have been checked and deemed to comply with the Building Regulations. Before this can be issued, all the information required must be submitted to us and all the necessary consultations completed satisfactorily (i.e. with the Fire Authorities, Sewerage Undertakers, Engineers etc).
Commercial Work and Flats
The AI usually has to consult the Fire Authority regarding commercial properties, HMO’s and where flats have communal areas.
New Building or Extensions (at or below ground level)
London Building Control has to consult the Sewerage Undertaker, to ensure that there are no public sewers in the vicinity (usually within 3m). For this reason a location plan (at a scale not less than 1:1250) needs to be sent to us to pass on to the LA and Sewerage Undertaker (usually Southern Water or Thames Water in the South). For such work, the IN cannot be processed without the location plan showing the footprint of the proposed works; new buildings also need to also show the proposed connections to sewers on the location plan.
Inspections
The developer or builder should notify the allocated Site Surveyor at the relevant stages of building work so that inspections can be made (i.e. notifications for commencement, foundations, drains, damp proof courses, etc). However at the first visit (which is often when foundation excavations or drains are ready for inspection) the Site Inspector will put in place a site regime for inspections.
Completion
At satisfactory conclusion of works, London Building Control will issue a Final Certificate to the LA for their records, with a copy to the client. (Note: Final certificates should be issued by LBC to the reach the LA within 4 weeks of occupation for commercial work and flats and 8 weeks for domestic work; please ensure we have the necessary documentation, so that LBC are in a position to issue the Final Certificate, otherwise works may revert to LA control).
Note : Whilst setting out briefly the process for building control, the full statutory duties for all relevant parties should be referred to in the Building Act, Building Regulations, Approved Inspector Regulations, etc.