Planning and the Building Regulations are two separate pieces of building legislation.

• The planning process manages and controls the use and development of land in the borough.
• The building control process manages and controls how buildings are constructed.

Working within national building law and policy, the building control process focuses on health and safety, and welfare of people in and around buildings, as well as conservation of fuel and power, and access and facilities for all. For general information about the building regulations and building control, visit www.communities.gov.uk (this page opens in a new window) or www.planningportal.gov.uk (this page opens in a new window)

Some types of development that need planning permission can be carried out without Building Regulation approval and vice versa. Anyone who is planning to carry out building work should contact Building Control using the details at the bottom of this page for further advice.

What are the Building Regulations?
The Building Regulations are minimum standards for all building work that are set by the Secretary of State in the Building Act 1984. The main purpose of these standards is to protect the health and safety of people in and around buildings, but they also focus on energy conservation and access and facilities for all members of the community.

The Approved documents are a set of documents that support and extend the Building Regulations. They cover all aspects of construction.

Building Control
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB

Tel: 01483 444545
Email: buildingcontrol@guildford.gov.uk