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Building control

Building Regulation changes from 1 July, 2026
From 1 July 2026, changes to building regulations in Wales will introduce a new building safety regime affecting how building work is designed, approved and carried out on site.
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The main purpose of the Building Regulations is to:

  • secure reasonable standards of health and safety for persons in or about buildings
  • energy conservation
  • access and facilities for people with disabilities

Planning Permission and Building Regulations are two different things.

More information is available on the Welsh Government's website:

Building work needing approval

In general, most building work requires Building Regulations approval, including:

  • erection of a new building, re-erection of an existing building or change of use of a building
  • extension or alteration of a building, including loft conversions and garages
  • installation, alteration or extension of a controlled service or fittings to a building
  • replacement of window(s) / door(s)
  • internal structural alterations, such as the removal of a load-bearing wall or partition;
  • installation of certain heat producing appliances;
  • underpinning of foundations
  • installation and alterations of most electrical circuits within dwellings; and
  • alterations and refurbishments of certain “thermal elements” and services.

Acceptable safety levels and construction standards are set out as guidance within booklets referred to as Approved Documents.

To check if you need Building Regulations approval, please contact us.

Submit a building regulations application

There are different types of building regulation applications. You can usually choose the type of application you submit, but it is important that you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Clients, Designers and Contractors Duties

From 1st July 2026 all building projects will be subject to a new duty holder system. This means that:

  • clients, designers and contractors all have clear legal responsibilities to ensure compliance is achieved
  • all duty holders will need to provide written confimation statements relating to their appointments and to compliance.

Every project regardless of how small must have a Client, an appointed Principal Contractor and an Appointed Principal Designer. Appointments must be in writing and signed.

Domestic Clients (householders) must defer their duties as a duty holder to another person who they believe is competent to act on their behalf, unless they are fully satisfiedthat they have the necessary competence to undertake a duty holder role themselvesand signed a written statement to that effet, which must be submitted to Cyngor Gwynedd before works start on site. Cyngor Gwynedd recommends that domestic clients seek professional advice before making that decision.

Competence

The building regulations now require that only those that can demonstrate competence should be appointed to undertake design and construction work. To achieve this, the building regulations place a duty upon everyone involved in the project from inception through to practical completion (including the domestic client/householder) to ensure they only appoint competent people.

Only by appointing competent people can the client and their appointed duty holders be satisfid that building regulation compliance will be achieved.

More about how to meet building requirements

Duties

Project Design Advice to improve your home

For advice on home improvements, building regulations, contracts, working with builders and designers, planning permission and much more go to the LABC Front Door website.

You can find answers to a nuber of questions using Ask Anna on the Front Door website.

When building work starts on the site

The Council’s Building Control Surveyor will need to inspect the work on the site regularly to ensure that all the building standards are met.

It is important that the builder or owner notifies the Building Surveyor at certain stages of the building work. Contact us to arrange a site visit.

Definition of "commencement of work"

Demolition

Anyone intending to carry out demolition work within the area is required to notify Cyngor Gwynedd.

More information about demolition and applying for a demolition notice

Completion Certificates

Once building work has been completed in accordance with the building regulations; all duty holders, clients, principal contractors and principal designers must submit a signed declaration of compliance to Gwynedd Building Control confirming that the work for which they were responsible complies with the building regulations to the best of their knowledge.

Once a Building Control Surveyor is satisfied that all the appropriate inspections have been carried out, you will receive a certificate of completion.

This certificate is your assurance that the work has been inspected by a qualified Building Control Surveyor and as far as can be reasonably ascertained complies with the appropriate Building Regulations.

Health and safety

If you are carrying out building or renovation work it is also possible that you will need to inform the Health and Safety Executive as there is a possibility you have additional responsibilities.

For further information visit the Health and Safety Executive website.

Radon Gas

Every building contains radon but the levels are usually low. The chances of a higher level depend on the type of ground. Public Health England has published a map showing where high levels are more likely in England and Wales.

For further information visit the Radon Gas website

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