Building Control
The Three Rivers Building Control Section is situated in the Community and Environmental Services Department at Three Rivers House. A team of six officers with administrative support is responsible for the enforcement of the Building Regulations. They deal with Full Plans, Building Notice and Regularisation applications, which cover building work on all types of buildings from small domestic extensions to large commercial and industrial developments. Building Control also exercise control over such matters as dangerous structures and excavations; ruinous and dilapidated sites; demolition works and means of escape in case of fire in certain buildings.
Building Control Applications are available to view on-line
Building Control has a responsibility to deal with dangerous buildings as they occur. Buildings may become gradually dangerous due to old age, deterioration or settlement, or by more dramatic causes such as storm, explosion, fire or impact by vehicles. All buildings which appear to be dangerous should be reported to the Council who will treat the matter with the utmost urgency.
If it is considered that a building is immediately dangerous, Building Control can require immediate evacuation and require, or take, any action necessary to protect the public and adjacent property. Such action may involve temporary road closure, barricading, shoring, scaffolding, repairs or demolition.
Where the building is not immediately dangerous the owner would receive a Notice requiring the property to be made safe within a stated time and, if satisfactory action is not taken, an Enforcement Order may be issued. If this is not complied with, the Council can instruct all necessary works to make the building safe and recover expenses from the owner.
To report a dangerous building or structure in the district, contact the Customer Services Centre on 01923 776611 or e-mail enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk
For operational purposes the District is divided into two geographical divisions with experienced Building Control Surveyors assigned to each. The Surveyors concerned are responsible for checking of applications, subsequent site inspections and the institution of any enforcement proceedings necessary to ensure defective building works are remedied. All Building Control Surveyors are required to study for degree level professional qualifications, leading to corporate membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
The Council has adopted a Policy Document, which sets out the level of service to be provided. Performance indicators have been introduced to enable quality objectives to be monitored and a Quality System accredited by BSI under BS EN ISO 9002 was introduced on 1st August 1994. Building Control received their first Charter Mark award in 1995 followed by a second in 1998, a third in 2001, a fourth in 2004, and their fifth in 2007, a first for a Building Control Authority as these awards are consecutive.
External Links
Department for Communities and Local Government
LABC Services Control Web Site
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
The Association of Building Engineers
The British Board of Agremént
The Building Research Establishment