Building Control Newsletter - Autumn 2017

HELLO AGAIN!

Autumn 2017

Welcome to the 7th edition of our Building Control e-newsletter

If you have missed our previous editions, this format is published quarterly to keep you informed of the latest changes to the Building Regulations; related CPD events; current technical issues and lots of other useful information and advice. 

FIRE SAFETY UPDATE

In regards with recent events involving the Grenfell Fire incident, please read the statement by LABC here.

If you are concerned about your Building Control application with us please call 01752 304343

If you have other queries about properties within Plymouth please contact Guy Cooper guy.cooper@plymouth.gov.uk

CONVERSION OF THE OLD DISPENSARY, MILLFIELDS, PLYMOUTH

An exciting development of the conversion of The Old Dispensary at the Millfields in Plymouth has recently commenced.

LABC Award winning chartered building company Goulden and Sons www.gouldenandsons.co.uk  https://twitter.com/GouldenandSons are developing the property into 12 luxury apartments.

Ercle Architects www.ercle.co.uk are assisting in the design of the building combining traditional techniques with innovative technology to create high spec apartments in keeping with the surroundings in this former 18^th century Royal Naval Hospital.

Plymouth City Council Building Control https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/planningandbuildingcontrol/buildingcontrolandregulations are providing the building control service and LABC Warranty www.labcwarranty.co.uk are providing the warranty.

This project is intended to compliment the array of previously converted properties in this unusual and beautiful setting.

For future updates please keep an eye on our facebook and twitter pages

BUILDING TOGETHER DEVON CONFERENCE

This year we are holding one of our regular FREE CPD events jointly with our colleagues Devon Building Control Partnership. The venue is The Dartmoor Lodge which is easily accessible from the A38 at Ashburton midway between Newton Abbot and Plymouth on Thursday 2nd November 2017.

The 'Building Together Devon' event will consist of 12 trade stands and 3 guest speakers covering the topics of:

• Fire safety.
• Acoustic performance and compliance.
• Geotechnics in the local areas.

Refreshments are available at registration at 9.15am - finishing with a buffet lunch very kindly sponsored by LABC South West at 1pm. The event will enable you to visit the trade stands and there will be ample time for networking opportunities with various companies and building control surveyors. The Dartmoor Lodge venue offers ample free parking.

In the meantime if you have any particular topics for future events you’d like us to facilitate please let us know at buildcon@plymouth.gov.uk

JEWSON PARTNERSHIP

LABC have formed a new working partnership with Jewson.  The first event that we would like to invite you along to is in Plymouth Guildhall on 14th September 2017. There will also be an event on the following day in Newton Abbot on the 15th of September. Both events will include a FREE breakfast on arrival.

A separate invite has already been sent, but please feel free to contact buildcon@plymouth.gov.uk or 01752 304343 to reserve an early space as places will be limited on this event.

There will also be building control surgeries, where surveyors will be available to discuss your building projects at pre application stage or give general building advice regularly in selected Jewson stores in Plymouth.

More information to follow. 

STAFF PROFILE

CONGRATULATIONS TO CHERYL

GETTING TECHNICAL - GUIDANCE ON LOFT CONVERSIONS IN TWO STOREY DWELLINGS.

Loft conversions

Converting the space under the roof of your home can be a cost effective way of creating extra bedrooms or living areas. But not all lofts are suitable for conversion. As a first step you should check the following:

• Height: Is there enough room in your loft to stand comfortably?  For your loft to be classified as a bedroom once converted you will ideally need a minimum of 2m headroom – but remember this will be after new floors, beams and panelling have been fitted, which may take up another 300mm of headroom.
• Floor space: Is the floor area large enough to make a useable room?
• Utilities: Would any chimneys, tanks, pipes or services require moving to create a usable space?
• If your unconverted loft space is too low, too small or has too many utilities it may still be possible to convert it, but it will be much more complex (and expensive).  Please call us 01752 304343 for FREE pre application advice where we will be able to pop out on site to discuss the feasibility of carrying out the conversion.

Get professional advice

Any loft conversion is a complex project, so you should get professional plans drawn up by an architect or building designer and get them approved by your local council’s building control team before starting work - you may also need planning permission so it's always best to check with your local authority Planning Department. The plans should cover:

• Roof – structure (loading, supports and beams), materials, insulation and ventilation.
• Access – stairs (angle, width and height), fire escape, handrails and bannisters.
• Floors and walls – structure and strengthening, insulation and sound proofing.
• Electrics, power and heating.
• Windows and doors.
• Fire safety – escape routes and smoke detectors.
• Bathrooms – connection to water supply and drains, ventilation.

More in depth advice from LABC can be found by clicking on the following link:

 https://www.labc.co.uk/sites/default/files/labcpd0615_techg_loftconversions.pdf

ESCONSULT

At Plymouth City Council Building Control we are always striving to give you the best possible customer service. Through ESconsult we offer a number of extended services to give a one-stop shop approach, these include:

• SAPs and EPCs
• Water Usage Calculations
• SBEMs
• Air Pressure Tests
• Acoustic Testing

Our ‘in-house’ Building Control Surveyors Cheryl Couling and Glyn Chappel that are also qualified SAP assessors are both qualified in On Construction Domestic Energy Assessments for domestic new builds, conversion to dwellings and highly glazed extensions. If you would like to book a free consultation please contact our offices on 01752 304343 or buildcon@plymouth.gov.uk and arrange a convenient time. 

FOLLOW AND LIKE US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

You can now find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

By 'following' or 'liking' our pages you can receive up to date newsfeeds detailing projects that we are currently working on and useful information tips from the department.

  Follow us on Twitter

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TELEPHONE APPLICATIONS

We now offer an ‘over the telephone’ application service.

This service ensures that your application is registered without delay and payment is made instantly by debit or credit card. 

Details we will need are:

• Applicant details
• Description of works
• Site address and location plan
• (For a Full Plans application) a copy of the drawings to be provided at a later stage 

You can make an application by contacting our Building Control Technical Support team on 01752 304343. 

MAKE AN APPLICATION

You can make an application in three ways: 

1. By telephone on 01752 304343
2. By downloading an application form and emailing it to Buildcon@plymouth.gov.uk
3. By coming into Ballard House, West Hoe Road, or our 1st Stop Shop, 71 New George Street and collecting application forms.  

View our Building Control web pages for more information.

HOW TO CONTACT US

We have a duty surveyor available to answer any questions you may have every day between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm on a Friday. They can be contacted on 01752 304343, by email or by dropping into Ballard House reception.

To ensure we can improve our service to you, we value any feedback you may be able to provide. A feedback form can be found on our website. We would appreciate you taking just a few minutes of your time to provide us with your comments.

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS

We hope you find this email newsletter useful but if you want to unsubscribe please click on the link at the very bottom of the email.

If you have changed your contact details (phone number, office location, company name etc) please email us. 

If you wish us to update your details or provide us with any of your colleagues details please let us know your new details via any of the above.

... AND FINALLY

In our next edition of the e-newsletter please look out for more information on our CPD events, staff profiles, another technical topic, and a new section of Development in the spotlight.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and we hope you have found it useful. Please spread the word to your colleagues and if you follow us on social media you will be provided with regular updates on useful information from Building Control.

FURTHER INFORMATION