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ACAI welcomes plans for improved building control system
1st September 2009
Today Communities & Local Government (CLG) has published the implementation plan outlining the proposed changes to the system of building control in England and Wales. This is an important milestone following a long consultation on the ‘Future of Building Control’ and subsequent discussions with local authorities and approved inspectors.
Some of the main changes being proposed include:
- A ‘Periodic Review’ programme for future updates to Building Regulations, giving everyone more clarity about which regulations will change and when.
- Publication of ‘project guides’ to help with Building Regulations compliance on certain types of domestic building projects like loft conversions and extensions.
- Greater flexibility for local authorities to set their own building control fees.
- A more consistent use by both local authorities and approved inspectors of a ‘risk assessed’ approach to building control.
- Changes to use of Building Notices, particularly for new housing.
- New enforcement powers for local authorities to take action against cowboy builders.
- Further work to look into regulatory overlaps between building control, planning, health and safety etc.
- Improved complaints systems.
- Improved performance management systems for building control bodies.
- Better evaluation programmes to check compliance with Building Regulations.
Click here to read the Implementation Plan.
Geoff Wilkinson, spokesman for the Association of Consultant Approved Inspectors (ACAI), said today:
“We absolutely support a building control system that is more consistent, more accountable and mirrors the ‘compliance through consultancy’ approach that Approved Inspectors first introduced more than 20 years ago.
“Approved Inspectors will be working closely to help build clients’ understanding of the forthcoming changes to the building control system. The actions this side of Christmas that are highlighted in this implementation plan will mostly impact on local authority building control departments rather than on clients. But by this time next year we could see major changes to the way the whole system works. It will be a lot to take on board, just at the same time as the industry will be getting to grips with the new Part L, so good communications will be vital to avoid widespread confusion.”
Commenting on the continuing need to tackle illegal construction work in the meantime, Geoff Wilkinson added:
“Building standards usually dip significantly during and just after a recession. So we will continue to lobby Government to ensure that building control authorities don’t forget their vital enforcement role. This is not a role the private sector can take on to compensate.
"As recent accidents have proved, there is still a need for councils to ensure they have enough inspectors to crack down on illegal building work and to take enforcement action when it’s needed without fear of losing favour.
"Consumer protection must not be compromised by the rush towards deregulated fees and flexible inspection regimes, or this will risk peoples’ safety and bring our whole profession into disrepute.”
Approved Inspectors are qualified and experienced private sector building control professionals and consultancies who can help developers, designers and contractors achieve Building Regulations approval on almost any construction project - from extensions and one-off homes to large commercial office developments and infrastructure projects. Approved Inspectors provide a cost-effective and client-friendly alternative to local authority building control.
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