Changes to Building Control applications from 1 October 2023

Applications for high rise residential buildings now need to be submitted to the Health and Safety Executive, and additional information needs to be provided when making a Full Plans application.

Applications to the Building Safety Regulator

Applications for high rise residential buildings now need to be submitted to the Health and Safety Executive, acting in its capacity as the Building Safety Regulator. 

A High-rise Residential Building is defined as a structure (or connected structures) which has:  

• at least 7 floors or is at least 18 metres in height.
• at least 2 residential units.

Guidance on this and an online application process is now available on GOV.UK. 

To ensure users are aware of this requirement, we have added a warning when users are starting an application so that, where relevant, they are directed to the guidance above instead of continuing to make an application though our online service. 

New Full Plans application information requirements  

Given the short time frame between legislative amendments being published mid-August and taking effect on 1 October, we have worked to provide an interim solution for users to be able to provide the additional information that is now required for Full Plans submissions. 

This is a fillable PDF form, containing the additional questions and details, that users can download, complete, and upload to their application prior to submission, along with any other additional supporting information required. 

Download the blank ‘supplementary information’ form. 

The blank form can also be used by LABC departments to send to applicants to complete retrospectively, ensuring that the details can be provided after the initial submission has been received if needed. 

Warnings have been added to the site to direct users to this form to try and ensure it is completed and provided with submissions. 

We appreciate that this is not an ideal solution, but it will at least provide an interim workaround to allow the additional information to be provided while we work to fully incorporate the new requirements into our application service in the future. 

Finally, we have also updated our Full Plans PDF form to include the additional information requirements. 

If you have any queries, please contact our service desk.