Common building projects

Service update, please read: important information regarding the temporary implications on our Building Control service

Local Authority Building Control (LABC)

Extending your home - do you need permission?

The links below offer planning and building regulations guidance for many common building work projects for the home.

If you require any further information please contact us.

Information on extending your home and renovating your property:

Planning a home improvement project - on the LABC Front Door website

The Planning Portal website also lists common building projects:

See also:

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Boundaries

Issues with property boundaries and party walls are a civil matter and are not dealt with by the Council. We therefore cannot advise you or take action in disputes.

Who owns a boundary?

If you're not sure who owns a boundary, you can search the Land Registry database:

Search for land and property information - on the GOV.UK website

They can sometimes provide information about accurate locations of boundaries and who is responsible for maintaining them.

Additional information:

Your property boundaries - on the GOV.UK website

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Party walls

Issues with property boundaries and party walls are a civil matter and are not dealt with by the Council. We therefore cannot advise you or take action in disputes.

The Party Wall Act is likely to apply if you are:

working on an existing party wall
building a structure astride (on top of) or directly next to a boundary
excavating below the level of your neighbour's foundations

You must give notice to your neighbour if you are going to do work on a shared wall (or party wall).

The following external websites offer useful information and advice about party walls:

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Garden walls, fences and gates

Issues with property boundaries and party walls are a civil matter and are not dealt with by the Council. We therefore cannot advise you or take action in disputes.

You don't need building regulations approval to put up a boundary fence, wall or gate, but you should make sure it is safely built. Planning permission may, however, be required. Further information can be found below.

The Planning Portal gives advice on how to build and maintain brick and stone walls, as they often collapse and can cause injury or death:

Fences, gates and garden walls: planning permission - on the Planning Portal website

You may also want to get expert advice.

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Are my drains correctly connected?

For advice on preventing pollution to our beaches and local rivers see:

Southern Water website - Bad plumbing and pollution (misconnected pipes)

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Registered designers and builders

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Partner Authority Scheme

The following designers and builders are registered with us through the LABC partnership scheme.

Whilst we are not able to recommend anyone, if you are planning to build a new home or extend, convert or renovate your existing one, they are able to produce planning and building regulations drawings for you and submit them to us on your behalf.

Links to their website have been provided if available where you can find their contact details and information about what they can offer, or a phone number/email address is given if no website is available.