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Complete Guides to Building Regs and Planning Permission

This page includes links to all of our Planning Permission and Building Regulations DIY how to projects. Browse through the below list and click on your chosen link to view the project information.

  • BS7671 Wiring Regulations

    BS7671 Wiring Regulations - The BS7671 Wiring Regulations are issued by the IET to regulate how electrical work is carried out, find out all about them

  • Building Regulations Overview

    Building regulations - an overview - The UK Building Regulations Approved Documents can be confusing so we have produced this handy guide explaining what each document covers

  • Building Regulations Approved Document Q

    Building regulations - Approved Document Q - Building Regulations Approved Document Q covers the security of a dwelling or home and ensures that all windows and doors conform to BSI standards

  • Building Regulations Approved Document A

    Building regulations - doc a - Approved document A of the UK building regulations covers construction of all parts of a building, loading, ground movement and collapse

  • Building Regulations Approved Document B

    Building regulations - doc b - Approved Document B of the UK Building Regulations covers fire safety for domestic houses and also non-domestic structures

  • Building Regulations Approved Document C

    Building regulations - doc c - Approved Document C of the Building Regulations covers the preparation of a building site to ensure its resistance to moisture and water

  • Building Regulations Approved Document D

    Building regulations - doc d - Approved Document D of the building regulations covers how to limit the risks to health and safety that are posed by toxic fumes in cavities

  • Building Regulations Approved Document E

    Building regulations - doc e - Building Regulations Approved Document E covering Unwanted noise and constructing walls in a way which resists the transmission of sound waves

  • Building Regulations Approved Document F

    Building regulations - doc f - Approved Document F of the Building Regulations covers ventilation in buildings and ensures adequate air circulation to prevent condensation

  • Building Regulations Approved Document G

    Building regulations - doc g - Approved Document G of the Building Regulations covers sanitation appliances and also water efficiency and usage and the safety of hot water

  • Building Regulations Approved Document H

    Building regulations - doc h - Approved Document H of the UK Building Regulations deals with foul and rainwater drainage and disposal of waste

  • Building Regulations Approved Document J

    Building regulations - doc j - Approved Document J ensures the safety, operation and installation of heat producing appliances such as boilers, burners and incinerators

  • Building Regulations Approved Document K

    Building regulations - doc k - Document K of the building regulations is concerned with protecting people from falling, collision and impact injuries

  • Building Regulations Approved Document L

    Building regulations - doc l - Approved Document L of the building regulations is concerned with the conservation of fuel and power used within a building or property

  • Building Regulations Approved Document M

    Building regulations - doc m - Approved Document M of the UK Building Regulations has been produced to provide guidance on accessing a building or domestic dwelling

  • Building Regulations Approved Document N

    Building regulations - doc n - Approved Document N of the UK Building Regulations covers glazing and how it should be installed to protect against impact damage

  • Building Regulations Approved Document R

    Building regulations - doc r - Building Regulations Approved Document R came in to effect in January 2017 to ensure broadband infrastructure is high speed and reliable

  • Electrical Installation Condition Report

    EICR - What is an Electrical Installation Condition Report - We look at the EICR or Electrical Installation Condition Report and learn about when you should get one and who produces the report

  • Party Wall Act

    Party wall act - Learn about your responsibilities with the party wall act 1966 and whats involved when carrying out home improvement works to a party wall

  • Permitted development

    Permitted Development - Find out if you need planning permission for home improvement works - Find out all about permitted development and what home improvement works are permitted without the need to gain planning permission

  • What is Planning Permission and How do I get it

    Planning permission - Find out all about planning permission and planning consent including what home improvement jobs you need to get planning permission for

  • A Guide to the Building Regulations for Replacing Windows and Doors

    Windows - window replacement building regulations - In this project you will learn about the UK Building Regulations and Rules for windows and doors in your home for new ones

Planning permission was introduced by the Victorians in a bid to improve the health of the Nation. Houses were cramped and almost built on top of one another. Water supplies were contaminated as they were to close to drains and in 1842 new legislation was brought in to bring living conditions up to a better standard. Builders were now told that, prior to building anything they had to adhere to new planning laws and plans had to be submitted for every new dwelling.

Building regulations need to be taken into consideration when doing work at home

Building regulations need to be taken into consideration when doing work at home

The by-product of this was that planning authorities were introduced and by 1875 we were beginning to look at overcrowding in UK homes in general.

Town planning acts began to come into force and in 1919 the first Housing act allowed the Ministry of Health to approve the design of houses. A further Housing Act of 1930 plotted areas within which improvements must be made and existing slums had to be eradicated.

Today, planning permission needs to be sought for a number of new dwellings and alteration to existing dwellings in some cases. Full information about planning permission can be found on the Planning Portal website

Because of the demand for new housing the countryside came under threat and even more planning laws were passed to protect the green belt. The release of the 1932 Town and Country Planning act made it clear that Planning laws were here to stay right across the UK.

As more houses were being built, more builders we jumping on the construction band-wagon. Some of these people were little more than con men and many house became unsafe especially after the war in 1946 when the UK needed so much construction work after the bombings.

Local authorities began to impose local rules on properties in their areas but it was not until 1965 that the first set of National Building Regulations were bought into force. All of the Building Regulations can be down loaded from our website but it is as well to check that the building regulations you are currently working to are as up to date as possible.

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