“build start” building regs advice!

10 months ago

We are doing an extension (basically a 80% rebuild) in conservation and special policy area. This means we even had to put the gas box on our planning application!

We got planning approved and registered for building regs before the 15th June 2022 so we could be on the old reg, not the new.

We have just had an email from the guiding reg company who have still not visited this yet to approve the test hole saying “there was a change to the Building regulations on 15th June 2022 and a transitional timer period until the 15th June 2023 was imposed for works that commenced within that period but were registered before the 15th June 2022.” They want to know if we have started the build.

What defines the start of the build?

We messaged a while back saying we had moved the gas lines, demolished the asbestos garage and outside toilet and tried to do as much as we can. No one has advised us on what is defined as the “start of the build”

Can anyone help?

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Comments (6)

Ricky Watkins
10 months ago
Breaking ground
Steve Goulter
Original Author
10 months ago
Thanks Ricky. Is demolishing half the garage and moving gas lines included in that?
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Ricky Watkins
10 months ago
No it's not
PRO
i-architect
10 months ago
Typically a start on site usually is considered to have been made once a first inspection has been carried out. It's a grey area. But the first inspection is something official that proves that work has started, while other activity could have happened but its hard to prove.
PRO
i-architect
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
Demolition of a garage and moving gas lines might be accepted as a start on site if it can be proved to be part of the approved works and there is also a provable date. It's potentially arguable. Not saying the people who make the decisions will agree with that being acceptable as a start on site. But you might be able to argue the point sufficiently for them to agree with you. For example demolition in a conservation area especially will have been works that required approval - so if that work has been done in accordance with the planning approval then that is one tick in its favour... Also works to gas pipes is notifiable, so if the notice has been sent into building control for that work then potentially that is also proof... The only thing you can do is present that information, tell them that you understand this is a proof that you have started on site prior to the deadline, and see what they say. Good luck.
Steve Goulter
Original Author
10 months ago
Thank you so much!

“build start” building regs advice!

Comments (6)

Ricky Watkins

Steve Goulter
Original Author

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“build start” building regs advice!

Comments (6)

Ricky Watkins

Steve GoulterOriginal Author

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