Make a building control application

There are 3 types of building control application, and you need to decide which application is best for the work you are carrying out.

Full plans

A full plans application can be used for all types of building work, but you must always submit a full plan application for works on commercial buildings.

If you submit a full plans application, you will need to provide plans and documents before you start work, showing all construction details.

We will assess your plans and consult with other authorities if necessary (such as fire or sewage). We will issue you with a decision notice within 6 weeks of receiving your application.

Make a full plans application

You can make a full plans application online on the Submit-a-Plan website.

You will need to register for an account before you can make an application.

You can also apply by post. You will need to include:

• full plans application form (pdf)
• site plan drawn to a scale of 1:1250
• detailed  drawing of the proposed building work drawn to a scale of not less than 1:200, showing drainage and sewers, layout, elevations and sections
• detailed written specification of the construction
• correct fee

Whether you apply online or by post, you will need to pay the fee by calling 01279 446655 to pay by debit or credit card - you will need to make a note of your payment reference number and email it to building.control@harlow.gov.uk

Building notice

You can submit a building notice for small domestic works, new houses and extensions.

If you submit a building notice, we do not need to see plans so the process is quicker than submitting full plans.

You need to be confident that your work will comply with the building regulations if you submit a building notice.

You can start work 48 hours after you have submitted your building notice, and do not need to wait for a decision notice from us.

Submit a building notice

You can make a full plans application online on the Submit-a-Plan website.

You will need to register for an account before you can make an application.

You can also apply by post. You will need to include:

• building notice application form (pdf)
• correct fee

Whether you apply online or by post, you will need to pay the fee by calling 01279 446655 to pay by debit or credit card - you will need to make a note of your payment reference number and email it to building.control@harlow.gov.uk

Regularisation

If you’ve started or carried out works without building regulations consent, you can apply for a regularisation certificate

Most building work needs building regulation approval.  Sometimes this is overlooked and the works continue without permission.

If you carry out work without a building regulations application, we can take enforcement action.  This could affect a future sale of your property.

Apply for regularisation

You can make a regularisation application online on the Submit-a-Plan website.

You will need to register for an account before you can make an application.

You can also apply by post. You will need to include:

• regularisation certificate application form (pdf)
• correct fee

Whether you apply online or by post, you will need to pay the fee by calling 01279 446655 to pay by debit or credit card - you will need to make a note of your payment reference number and email it to building.control@harlow.gov.uk

Once building work has started

You need to send a commencement notice to let us know your building work has started within 5 days of work being deemed commenced. The construction requirements for works to be deemed commenced are:

• complex buildings – foundations are constructed and the structure of the lowest floor level is complete
• new buildings and horizontal extensions – sub surface structure of the building or the extension including all foundations and the structure of the ground floor level is completed
• all other works – constructed 15% of the overall work

You can find full details in Regulation 46A of The Building Regulations 2010.

• Notice of commencement form (pdf)

Changes during building work

After you have made a building control application, if the client for your project changes, the new client must give us notice within 14 days of the date when the person became the new client.

• Notice of change of dutyholder form (pdf)

When your building work is completed

Once you've completed your building work, you need to let us know within 5 days of the work being completed.

• Notice of completion form (pdf)