Planning and building control

Building regulations are changing

Applications submitted from 1st October 2023 will be subject to the provision of additional information in order for your application to be validated. If you need further information, email building.control@liverpool.gov.uk 

Building regulations approval

You must check if you need approval before starting building work. Building regulations approval is different from planning permission and you might need both for your project.

If works relate to high risk buildings (high rise residential buildings over 18m or 7 storeys or more, with at least 2 residential units), you must contact the Building Safety Regulator - only they can provide the building control function for these buildings.

Building regulation approval makes sure the work you're doing reaches certain safety and energy efficiency standards and gives you the certificates of compliance you need when you want to sell your home or building.

You need approval for most types of building work, including:

  • a new building
  • an extension, loft or garage conversion
  • alterations to the structure of the building
  • altering the means of escape
  • underpinning foundations
  • alterations to the drainage system of a building
  • cavity wall insulation

You'll also need approval for home improvements like a new boiler, radiators, bathroom, fuse box, electric, windows, doors, and roofing, if the person carrying out the work is not a member of the Competent Person Scheme. Competent person schemes are a way for tradespeople to prove their ability to carry out certain work to required standards, instead of you applying for building regulations approval.

Find out more about building regulations and whether they apply to your project on the LABC website.

If you're still unsure if your development needs approval, contact us.

If you go ahead without permission or approval, you may need to alter or remove work in order to demonstrate compliance and/or to sell your property.

Who is responsible for meeting the requirements?

Current legislation sets out responsibilities as follows.

Any person carrying out building work (including any workers under their control) must:

  • ensure the work is planned, managed, and monitored so it complies with all relevant requirements.
  • cooperate with the client, designers, and contractors (including the principal designer and contractor) to ensure it complies with all relevant requirements.

Any person carrying out design work (including any workers under their control) must:

  • take reasonable steps to ensure the work is planned, managed and monitored so the design, when built, complies with all relevant requirements.
  • cooperate with the client, designers, and contractors (including the principal designer and contractor) to ensure the design, when built, complies with all relevant requirements.