Building control
We at Darlington Borough Council Building Control are continuing to provide you with a Building Control Service during these difficult and ever changing times. Currently within the construction industry work can proceed on site, if the Government guidance is followed, so we are working too. Following the announcement by the prime minister on Monday 23rd March and the advice given in relation to preventing the spread of COVID-19, we have made the following operational changes at Darlington Borough Council Building Control:
Operational Changes
The team are working from home as much as possible in order to maintain social distancing. All services are still being maintained during this time, though things may be working a little slower than normal. Please bear with us and we will endeavour to carry on as normal as is possible. The surveyors will still be available for discussions or advice via their normal contact details of via our office contact Tel 01325 406214 or [email protected]
Applications
We continue to receive and registering building regulation applications. However we would recommend that, where possible, during the current work restrictions, applications etc. be submitted using only electronic methods. Postal applications and cheque payments will be held at our Town Hall office and processed as soon as access can be achieved, whilst still following the social distancing guidance.
Application Fees
All Building Regulation application fees can be paid for with a credit or debit card over the phone by contacting our office on 01325 406214.
Site Inspections
Only essential outdoor site inspections will be undertaken, where appropriate social distancing can be adhered to. Note: Confirmation that appropriate social distancing can be achieved on site will be required prior to the inspection.
Due to the possibility of infection risks, inspections will not be carried out within any building/structure or other indoor environment, (unless the inspection has been identified as “essential” and the information required to assess the works cannot be provided via another means).
We will endeavour, where required or requested, to assess building works remotely, by the use of photographs, videos and through email and phone communications, these assessments need to be completed before the works proceed to the next stage of construction. Following consideration of the information provided we will provide comments on the element of the works being assessed and update our records accordingly. Please contact us to discuss this further where necessary, as all applications will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
All non-essential site inspections will be postponed until further notice, the surveyors will however be available for discussions or advice via their normal contact details.
Plan Assessments.
The plan assessment process will continue as close to normal as can be achieved at this point. As noted above we would recommend that during the current work restrictions new applications, amended details etc. be submitted using only electronic methods where possible. If you require any guidance on this please contact our office on 01325 406214 or [email protected].
Making Contact.
You can still contact us by the usual manner - phone and email: 01325 406214 or [email protected]. Please leave a message if you don’t get through to us straight away and we will get back to you as soon as possible.