Building Regulations & Planning Applications

Building Regs & Planning applications for Brighton – Hove – Sussex – London - Surrey – Kent

Building regulation document L was tightened in October (2010). Control Sash Windows have updated our manufacturing specification to be compliant with this.

If your property is in a conservation area and is covered by article 4 you will most probably need to put in a planning application to change your windows and in some cases the front doors. Please contact your local council to find out. It’s a simple procedure just give them a call with the properties address, postcode etc. and they will inform you of their compliances.

It is worth getting their compliances in writing as it has been known for the wrong verbal information to be given over the phone which has then resulted in costly reinstatement of windows and doors under an enforcement order by the courts.

We can provide you with you with drawings for planning applications and take care of the paper work for you. This is done by our in house architectural service for an additional cost.  

Replacement Windows

Notes from Brighton and hove City Council website June 2010

From April 2002, replacement windows came within the scope of the Building Regulations and from then, anyone who now installs replacement windows or doors will have to comply with more stringent thermal performance standards.

The standard was updated in October 2010. Windows now need to have a U value of 1.6 and doors a U value of 1.8. The lower the U value the better the thermal rating. (Prior to October 2010 the U value was 2.0)

The only exception was a short grace period for contracts signed by March 31 2002 so long as the work was done before 1 July 2002. This grace period did not apply to DIY work.

One of the main reasons for the change is the need to reduce energy loss and its use. It is essential that the performance of our existing buildings is improved if we are to meet national and global energy saving targets.

How this affects you

When the time comes to sell your property, your purchaser's surveyors will ask for evidence that any replacement windows installed after April 2002 comply with the new Building Regulations.

There will be two ways to prove compliance:

• A certificate showing that the work has been done by an installer who is registered under the FENSA scheme.

• A certificate from the local authority saying that the installation has approval under the Building Regulations.

FENSA is a self certifying schemes approved by the government. The work of every installer will be inspected by FENSA appointed inspectors to ensure standards are maintained. On completion of the work the local authority will be informed and certificates will be issued to householders confirming compliance with the Building Regulations.

Any installation done by a firm which is not in either of the above schemes, or is done as a DIY project by a householder, will need local authority approval under the Building Regulations. Local authorities will know of all the approved installers in their areas and will be able to identify unauthorised work very easily. You should note that responsibility for ensuring that work has been undertaken in accordance with the Building Regulations rests with the owner of a property.

Before you agree and sign a contract to buy replacement windows, be sure to confirm that the installer is approved under one of the above schemes.

Brighton & Hove City Council June 2010.

for further information please visit the Planning Portal

Listed Buildings exempting document L , please read on………

The Building Regulations & ‘Historic Building’ Exemption

The Building Regulations 2000: L1B – Conservation of Fuel & Power in existing dwellings (as amended on 6th April 2006) sets out the requirements for compliance when replacing existing windows and doors in residential property.

The requirement in simple terms is to save energy, and the document provides details on acceptable self-certification schemes for replacement works such as FENSA who currently administer the scheme on our behalf.

Compliance is normally required when fully replacing a window or door, this needs to include the surrounding Box or Master Frame, but is not usually required for overhaul or part-renewal.

In addition, properties classed as ‘Historic Buildings’ are specifically exempted and the regulations do not apply. This applies to all buildings which are:

• i) Listed in accordance with section 1 of the Planning Act 1990
• ii) In a Conservation area designated in accordance with section 69 of that Act
• iii) Where compliance would unacceptably alter the character or appearance of the property

Please note: We recommend that you check with your local authority before proceeding with any works on a listed building.
June 2010.