This page should help you identify which type of building regulations application you need. If you're not sure if you need approval, check our Do I need building control approval? page. 

While it isn’t compulsory to talk to us before making an application, it can be very helpful to decide if you need to make an application and, if one is needed, ensure that you are making the correct type.

To talk to us, email building.control@crawley.gov.uk or call us on 01293 438188.

For building work in Crawley, there are three types of Building Control applications you can choose from, depending on your project: 

A full plans application is recommended for more complex projects, or where you want formal approval before starting work. It can also help you avoid costly mistakes during construction. This type of application is usually submitted by an agent or architect and includes detailed drawings, design details, specifications and calculations.

This is the most common route for extensions and conversions and it must be used for any commercial building or buildings with common areas, such as a block of flats or one that is subject to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.

Once you’ve submitted your application, we assess the plans for compliance and consult the relevant authorities, such as energy, sewerage  and fire service, if necessary. If changes are needed, we may issue a conditional approval or request amendments.

If compliant, you’ll receive a formal approval notice within five weeks from the date of your application (or longer if you’ve agreed to an extension). You can then start work once this is received. If you start work before then, it is at your own risk. Approval is valid for three years from the date of application submission and fee payment.

A full plans application means contractors can quote for your project more accurately, and your builder will be working on site with a set of approved plans.

We can agree any minor variations in construction during works but any major changes may require amended plans and further details to be submitted.

A building notice is best for simple domestic projects where detailed plans aren’t required, for example an additional window, re-roofing or removing an internal wall. This route allows you to start work 48 hours after application submission and fee payment, unless you need to include structural details. In that case you would need to allow 10 working days for calculations to be checked.

Building notice is:

• designed for straightforward work
• no formal plans required (though structural details may be requested, for example if you are putting in an internal steel beam)
• valid for three years from the date of building notice acknowledgement

Building notice is not permitted for: 

• work within three metres of a public sewer
• new buildings fronting private streets
• altering a commercial building

Once work starts you will need to contact us to make regular site inspections.

A building notice puts more responsibility for knowing and complying with the building regulations on the person carrying out the work and the property owner.

If you have already started work, or you or a previous owner carried out work without obtaining permission, you may be able to have this approved retrospectively. This is called a regularisation. This can only be done for work carried out on or after 11 November 1985.

You will need to supply plans and calculations to show what was done and a site inspection will be carried out. This may require exposing or altering parts of the work to confirm compliance.

If the work is compliant, we’ll issue a regularisation certificate, but there is no guarantee that we will then issue a regularisation certificate.

Contact us first to discuss your situation before submitting a regularisation application. To find out how to regularise older works, please get in touch via building.control@crawley.gov.uk or call us on 01293 438188.