Making an Application
The Charges for most types of work are shown
below, if your proposal falls outside of the scope of this guide or
you require further assistance please do not hesitate to contact
us.
It is suggested that you follow the following
steps in order to make an application.
First download the appropriate form, using the links
below:
Building
Control Building Notice Form
Building
Control Full Plans Submission
Building
Control Regularisation Form
Using the document Building Control Charges, calculate the fee
that is to be paid:
Please Note
All Charges detailed are inclusive of VAT at the current
rate
Building
Control Fees from 1st April 2011
A copy of the full Charges Scheme is available for inspection at
the Council's Building Control Office.
Electronic submission
To pay via the council's on-line payment system click here (You
will need to specify a unique identifier / password)
Complete the downloaded document. Remember to
include the unique identifier / password from the payment
screen.
e-Mail the document along with any plans or
associated documents to buildingcontrol@bedford.gov.uk
Manual submission
Complete the downloaded document. Remember to
a cheque for the calculated fee.
Post the document along with, the fee payment
and any plans or associated documents to:
Bedford Building Control
Bedford Borough Council
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP
Explanatory Notes.
1) Before you build, extend, alter or convert, you or your agent
must advise your Local Authority either by submitting Full Plans or
a Building Notice.
Charges
2) The Local Authority has to charge for this service and the
charges are detailed above. The relevant charge is payable at the
time of submission of the application. If the charge is not
received the application cannot be treated as deposited and if the
work starts it will be unauthorised. The Regularisation Charge will
then apply.
2.1) When full plans are submitted for approval a two stage charge
is normally payable. The plan charge must accompany the submitted
drawings and details and covers the passing or rejection of the
plans. The inspection charge is a once only payment and becomes due
after the first inspection of work on site. An invoice will be sent
for the relevant amount which covers all necessary site inspections
including the completion inspection and certificate.
2.2) When a building notice is submitted this must be accompanied
by the relevant charge. The charge covers all assessment and
inspection procedures as above.
2.3) The Local Authority can agree to defer charges or for payment
by instalments but this must be agreed with the Building Control
Manager prior to submission of the application.
3) Charges are payable for each category of work with the exception
of :-
a) A detached garage being built at the same time as a new
dwelling. Dwelling charge applies.
b) Two or more extension floor areas can be combined up to 60m².
Charge for the total floor area applies.
c) Alterations to form access to new extension(s) and/or room(s) in
the roof.
4) The charge for a dwelling only applies to a dwelling with a
floor area up to 300m². The charge for larger dwellings is based on
the cost of the work. Dwelling floor area does not include the area
of an associated garage.
Unauthorised Work
5) Should you apply for a Regularisation certificate, in respect of
unauthorised building work, the charge will be 120% of the normal
charge but will not be subject to VAT. Work is unauthorised if it
has been started prior to acceptance of an application.
Estimates
6) Estimated cost means the reasonable average cost which would be
charged by professional builders to carry out all of the work in
the project excluding VAT and any professional fees paid to an
Architect, Engineer, Surveyor or Consultant. Estimates based on DIY
costs cannot be accepted. Guidance on reasonable average cost is
available from the Building Control Manager
Exemptions
7) Charges will not be payable :-
a) for works to provide access and/or necessary facilities for
disabled people in existing dwellings or public buildings, or
b) for the resubmission of plans within 3 years of a rejection
where the plans are for substantially the same scheme, or
c) for the insertion of cavity insulation where the installation is
by an approved installer or certified to an approved
standard.
Repetitive Work
8) Where an application is for repetitive work to a number of
buildings a reduction in the normal plan fee may be possible.
Please contact the Building Control Manager to discuss fees on this
type of project.
Best Value
9) This Local Authority aims to provide a Building Control Service
of the highest quality. You can help by letting us know when the
work is ready for inspection and when inspection of the completed
work can be carried out. This will help us keep costs to a minimum
and provide the service when it is most effective in helping you
avoid building problems.
Electrical Work
10) From 1st January 2005 electrical work in dwellings became
subject to Building Regulations. The charge for this work applies
only if the work involved does not form part of an application
under Table 1 or 2. The Council must set a charge which will
recover its costs and the minimum charge acceptable for work
involving Regulated electrical works will be that based on a
reasonable cost of £5000.
Planning Permission
11) Planning permission may also be required. Please contact the
Planning Department on 01234 718068 if permission has not
already been obtained
Complaints
12) The Council has a formal complaints procedure to ensure that
any complaint is handled fairly. In the first instance please
contact the Building Control Manager to discuss any concerns.