A bridge between BuildingRegsGuide and UKPlanningGuide showing which project questions belong to planning and which belong to building control.
Planning permission asks whether the development is allowed in planning terms. Building regulations ask whether the work is designed, built, inspected and evidenced properly. A project can need one, both or neither, so keep the decisions separate in your project file.
Building regs: Foundations, structure, insulation, drainage, ventilation, inspections and completion evidence.
Building-control evidence to keep
Planning: Permitted development limits, neighbour-sensitive design, conservation constraints and local planning context.
Building regs: Stairs, structure, fire safety, insulation, ventilation, smoke alarms and completion paperwork.
Building-control evidence to keep
Planning: Dormers, roof extensions, front roof slopes, conservation areas and external appearance.
Building regs: Exemption checks, electrics, heating, drainage, fire spread and evidence before services are covered.
Building-control evidence to keep
Planning: Size, position, incidental use, sleeping use, boundaries and protected-area planning limits.
Building regs: Drainage layout, waste connections, inspection chambers, soakaways and building-control inspection records.
Building-control evidence to keep
Planning: Permeable surfacing, highway access, dropped kerbs and local planning constraints.
| Question | Use UKPlanningGuide for | Use BuildingRegsGuide for |
|---|---|---|
| Can I build it? | Planning permission, permitted development, prior approval, local planning policy. | Not the main source, except to understand that building regs may still apply. |
| How must it be built? | Only where design constraints affect planning. | Approved Documents, full plans, building notice, inspections, competent person schemes. |
| What proof should I keep? | Planning decisions, lawful development certificates and appeal/condition records. | Drawings, calculations, inspections, completion certificates and installer certificates. |
Chooses likely next route: planning-first, full plans, building notice, competent person, regularisation, or specialist advice.
Compares project complexity, certainty needs, start timing and structural risk.
What a completion certificate proves and why it matters when selling or remortgaging.
Checklist of building regulations paperwork, inspection records, certificates and project evidence to keep for sale, remortgage and future work.
Plain-English guide to planning permission vs building regulations for homeowners, with building-control route prompts, certificate evidence, official sources and practical next steps.
When full plans can give more certainty before work starts and what documents are usually needed.