Building Warrants and Planning

There is a general misunderstanding by many people that Building Standards approval and Planning Permission are one and the same. The two are entirely different permissions required by separate legislation.

Put simply, Building Standards is concerned with the way that the building is constructed in terms of structural stability, fire resistance, weather protection etc. Planning, on the other hand, deals with the correct use of land, the appearance of the proposed building and the effect that the development will have on the general environment and neighbouring properties.

It cannot be emphasised too strongly that, whatever the project, advice from both Building Standards and Planning staff should be sought.