Local Authority Building Control (Wessex) have produced a number of guidance leaflets, which are available as downloadable pdf files:

Exempt Buildings

Information about buildings and extensions may be erected without obtaining Building Regulations approval.

Exempt Buildings (378Kb)

Party Wall Act 1996

Under the Party Wall Act anyone intending to carry out work on or near a party wall must give the adjoining owners written notice of their intentions.

Party Wall Act 1996 (449Kb)

Thatched Buildings

The following guidelines are to advise you of certain requirements if you are considering extending or constructing a thatched roof building less than 12m from your boundary.

Thatched Buildings (299Kb)

Ground Contamination Advice

Contaminants in the ground can present a risk to health and safety as well as to buildings and materials.

Ground Contamination Advice (645Kb)

Trees and Buildings

Trees benefit the environment, but can lead problems with buildings if care is not taken planting or building construction stage.

Trees and Buildings (320Kb)

Smoke Detection and Fire Alarms

Each year in England and Wales about 800 people die as a result of fires in buildings. A large proportion of these deaths could have been avoided if an automatic fire alarm system had been installed.

Smoke Detection and Fire Alarms (621Kb)

Getting Building Control Approval

There are three ways to obtain building regulation approval through your local authority.

Getting Building Control Approval (721Kb)

Replacement Windows

All owners replacing windows need to make an application, and the new windows themselves will have to fully meet the requirements of the Building Regulations.

Replacement Windows (289Kb)