Leeds Building Control Services "LABCnews" spring 2011
The above publication is now available. It is aimed at our local customers and contains short, easy-to-read articles on practical topics:
- Loft conversions
- Conservatories
- Photovoltaic panels
- New arrangements on drains and sewers
- Plus other news and advice on topics that are relevant to the Building Regulations
We think you’ll find something useful in this and hope you enjoy reading it. It’s another example of how local authority building control is assisting customers by giving extra help and information. There are other ways we can help support you too. As you know we provide practical guidance and feedback on plans to avoid costly issues arising during the build. We also attend sites frequently, not just to look over your shoulder, but to talk through what happens next and to provide as much guidance as we can. All this reassures your clients.
Technical Guidance
Our latest technical document available for download or view online is the Leeds Guide to Extending Your Home This guide will take you through the building control process. It is not a substitute for professional advice but it aims to show how your project will be affected by the Building Regulations. The guide is divided into chapters containing advice about typical building projects including
- Domestic extensions
- Loft conversions
- Garage conversions
- Domestic cellar conversions
It is hoped that when you have read the guide you will have a better understanding of what is involved in a domestic building project.
Fire Risk Assessment
Through LABC Consult we are now able to offer a Fire Risk Assessment service, for more information download our information leaflet or contact us on 01132 478104
Important Information
From October 1st 2011 Yorkshire Water will take over responsibility for all new sewers and lateral drains being built in the region and will also take over the ownership and maintenance of an additional 22,000 kms of existing private sewers and lateral drains that are currently the responsibility of individual homeowners.
The result of this is that Yorkshire Water and not Building Control Services are responsible for inspecting any drainage work which involves a private sewer.
At present details are limited but Yorkshire Water has more information on their web site.
Once we have more information we will update all our relevant web pages.
Join us on Facebook or Twitter
We are now on Facebook and Twitter, so come and join our social networking community for the latest news in the world of Building Control and Public Safety in Leeds.
See you there...
facebook.com/buildingcontrol
twitter.com/LeedsBControl
Home and Build
Homeowners considering any building project are advised to seek building control advice before embarking on building work to their properties. This advice is available free via your Local Authority Building Control office and could help save you money now, and help prevent problems when selling your property in the future.
Home and Build works with Local Authorities across the UK to publish guides, advice, news and features to guide you through every step of the process and its professional building services directory will help you find the tradesmen, products and services you need to get your project up and running.
To see what information is available, please see the links to other web sites on the right hand side of this page.
Our main function is to process Building Regulation applications and ensure the minimum standards of building regulations are met by carrying out regular site inspections. You can view applications on Public Access.
We are responsible for administering and monitoring demolition work throughout Leeds and provide a Dangerous Structure Service 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
We play a major part in securing public safety at sports grounds and major indoor and outdoor events.
We have an access team offering advice on access and other inclusive issues in and around buildings.
Talk to us first
You are encouraged to meet with us before you make a building regulation application. If appropriate we can also involve other bodies (such as the fire or planning services). Experience has shown a pre-submission meeting can have a significant impact upon design time and costs.
We can also talk with you about how we can tailor our service to meet your needs, why using the Local Authority Building Control services is the wise choice and of course the cost of the service.
You are welcome to drop into the Development Enquiry Centre to talk to us before you make a building regulation application or email us at building.control@leeds.gov.uk.
Service standards
The service we provide to all our customers is important and as such the following levels of service are considered as our minimum standard
- Respond to out of hours dangerous structure incidents within two hours
- Respond to telephone calls within one working day
- Respond to your written enquiries within five working days
- Respond to your email enquiries within two working days
- We will register your application within three working days
- If your domestic plans comply with the building regulations we will approve them within three weeks
- We will offer a same day inspection service if you phone us before 9.30am
- We will issue a completion certificate on the next working day where work complies with regulations and all relevant certificates have been submitted and found to be satisfactory