Building Standards
Building Warrant Applications
The design and construction
of buildings is controlled by ensuring Building Warrant applications comply with
Building Regulations
for most classes and types of building, whether public or private and includes houses,
shops, leisure facilities, factories, warehouses etc.
A Building Warrant application
is required for the erection, conversion, alteration or extension of a building
and is also necessary for the demolition of a property. It is valid for three years
and construction work should not begin before the Building Warrant has been approved.
The processing of Building
Warrants is a major part of the work done by Building Standards staff. Each year
in South Ayrshire there are approximately 1800 applications amounting to a total
estimated cost of £90 million.
Application Forms
All application forms must
be accompanied by two full sets of scaled drawings and should indicate details of
the proposals. A complete specification of building materials and method of construction
should be included and where specific details of construction is required this should
also be shown by submitting large scale drawings. A location plan and a block plan
are necessary to identify where the building is located in relation to the surrounding
area and indicate the site boundaries, adjacent roads and properties, the drainage
layout and the position on site of the building.
Where the proposed work involves structural design, e.g. steel frame, beams, lintels,
roof structure, either structural calculations or a Design Certificate from an approved
certifier of design will be required for submission with the application for Building
Warrant. More information on approved certifiers of design can be provided by Building
Standards staff. When an application is received a fee is required to be paid based
upon the value of the works. In calculating the value of the works the applicant
must use normal market costs rather than any discounted cost which they may be able
to achieve. The current fee scales
are shown on this section, however, the Scottish Government are often reviewing these amounts so
it is worth checking whether any changes have been made.
Building Standards consult with various bodies before the assessment of a Building
Warrant is complete e.g. Fire Authority, SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency), Scottish Water and the Health and Safety Executive.
The length of time it takes for checking an application will vary depending on the
size and complexity of the proposals and any adjustments to the design to show compliance
with the Building Regulations. As a result of requests received from Building Warrant
applicants using agents eg an architect, correspondence relating to the assessment
of the application will be sent to both the applicant and the agent, where appropriate.
Application Fast Tracking
In certain circumstances Building Warrants and Completion Certificates may require
to be processed as a priority application and dealt with faster than applications
processed against the Customer Charter Performance Targets. The prioritisation of
applications or fast tracking will be considered where the applicant/agent provides
a letter requesting the application is fast tracked and suitable justification is
given by satisfying one of the following criteria:
- The application is for the benefit of a disabled person;
- The application is for minor works and the works are linked to a house sale etc;
- The application relates to a project which has significant social or economic benefit
to the Community;
- The application relates to a Scottish Type Approval System (STAS);
- There are special mitigating circumstances relating to the application.
Should you wish to discuss the merits of your particular application meeting this
criteria please contact the Building Standards office.