Short answer
Building Regulations approval is required for most building work that affects structure, fire safety, insulation, drainage or ventilation. Structurally, that includes extensions, loft conversions, new openings in load-bearing walls, new beams and columns, underpinning and significant repairs. Approval is obtained through your local authority building control or an approved inspector, either by full plans submission or a building notice. Structural calculations form part of the evidence. A completion certificate matters later: purchasers' solicitors routinely ask for it, and its absence can delay or reduce a sale.
Branded guidance note, prepared for project records and circulation to your team.
Routes to approval
- Full plans: drawings and calculations submitted and approved before work starts — the safer route for structural work
- Building notice: work proceeds with inspection at stages — quicker, but risk sits with the builder
- Approved inspector: a private alternative to local authority building control
What building control look for structurally
- Calculations demonstrating compliance with Part A
- Clear beam sizes, bearing details and padstone specifications
- Foundation depths and ground conditions
- Lateral restraint and stability of the altered structure
How BES is typically involved
- BES issues calculations and sketches formatted for submission.
- Where an inspector queries an assumption, BES responds with the supporting justification.
- BES can advise which route to approval suits a particular project.
Typical process
- 01Confirm whether the work is notifiable
- 02Choose full plans or building notice
- 03Submit drawings and structural calculations
- 04Site inspections at key stages
- 05Completion certificate
Common misconceptions
Commonly assumed
“Planning permission covers Building Regulations.”
In practice
They are entirely separate consents with different tests and different assessors.
Commonly assumed
“Internal work never needs approval.”
In practice
Structural alterations, new openings and loft conversions do, even when nothing changes externally.
Related tools and services
Resource Centre tool
Structural Project Navigator
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Discuss your project
General guidance only goes so far. Describe your building and what you are planning, and you will receive project-specific advice from a Chartered Structural Engineer.
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Disclaimer
Indicative result only. The calculation depends on the assumptions and information entered and does not constitute structural design or professional advice. Do not use the result for construction, procurement, Building Regulations submissions or safety-critical decisions. All results must be independently verified by a suitably qualified structural engineer before being used for design, construction or regulatory purposes. Bebbington Engineering Studio Ltd accepts no responsibility for reliance placed on unverified results.