Building Control - Archive News - 2004
- Access Guide 2005 Launched
- Amendments to Part M
- Ascot Racecourse
- Email site inspection requests
- Enhanced Service Standards for 2004
- Latest News
- New downloads and FAQ pages
- Newsdesk
- Other articles of interest over the last year
- Plain English Application Forms
ASCOT RACECOURSE
RBWM Building Control Consultancy is delighted to be a member of the design team involved with the extensive redevelopment programme of Ascot Racecourse for the Ascot Authority. Once completed the development, including the new grandstand, parade ring and refurbished listed buildings will provide one of the best racecourse experiences in the world.
The racecourse closed in September 2004, with demolition works commencing in October 2004. Work will continue until April 2006, ready in time for Royal Ascot 2006.
This innovative and unique building requires a unique approach for the design team.
Architects Image of the new Ascot Racecourse 2006
Architects: HOK SVE
Image supplied by : Studio Blue
ACCESS GUIDE 2005 LAUNCHED
All six unitary authorities in Berkshire are working to ensure that the environment around us is accessible to all. ' Designing for Accessibility in Berkshire ' has been produced to give guidance to those who are planning, designing and implementing the built environment, and details the standards of accessibility that each authority is looking to be achieved in all development in Berkshire.
The guide is available on our Access Statements web page to download, we hope you find it useful.
PLAIN ENGLISH APPLICATION FORMS
Following independent assessment and validation by the Plain Language Commission, we are pleased to announce that both our Building Notice and Full Plans Application Forms have achieved the Commission's seal of approval for plain english. Copies of the forms are downloadable from our Making An Application webpage.
We hope this will help all our customers find the application process more simpler and clearer to understand.
We will be continuing to review all our other guidance notes and customer guides to keep the Building Regulation process as simple as possible.
NEW !! DOWNLOADS AND FAQ'S WEB PAGES
Following requests from customers, we have introduced two new web pages. The Downloads web page, has in one place all the forms and charges details you will need to submit an application to us. This will save time contacting us or hunting for that elusive form to copy. There are many regularly asked questions, so we tried to include these in place on our Frequently Asked Questions web page, to allow for ease and speed of access.
Please let us know if there are any further questions and responses that you would like to see on this page.
OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST OVER THE LAST YEAR
PART E - ROBUST DETAILS
As an alternative to pre-completion sound testing in new attached housing, the ODPM has approved the use of Robust Details to show compliance with Part E. The requirement to test new housing will become effective from 1st July 2004.
In response to this requirement, a new company, Robust Details Ltd, has been set up to approve the use of Robust Details for Part E. The company has produced a handbook of construction solutions. This is available by contacting them on: 0870 240 8210. Developers seeking to use these robust details on their properties must apply for permission. Robust Details Ltd is the only organisation that can approve the use of Part E robust details.
Technical enquiries can be answered by contacting them on: 0870 240 8209. Comprehensive information is also available on their website http://www.robustdetails.com/.
AMENDMENTS TO PART M
The proposed amendments to Approved Document M came into force on 1st May
2004. These will particularly affect new build commercial developments, as well
as extensions to existing buildings. Greater emphasis will be placed on early
design advice being sought at pre Planning Permission application stage.
There are many changes to the detailed guidance, which will have potential
significant cost, space and design implications.
These implications will be relevant to anyone designing, building or
supervising building work on commercial buildings.
Guidance and advice on the implications of the changes to the Regulations on
your project, can be sought from your area member of the Building Control Team.
Contact details are available on our Contacts webpage.
E MAIL SITE INSPECTION REQUESTS
You can now email us with your request for a site inspection. To ensure we can undertake the inspection on the day requested, any email notice must be received by no later than 10.00am on that day. Any received after 10.00am will be held over to the following working day.
Please log on to our Site Inspection page to download and complete the form, and then email it to us.
NEWSDESK
Want to know the latest news, views and goings on in the world of Building Control? See how LABC Services can enhance your project at http://www.sitelines.co.uk/.
ENHANCED SERVICE STANDARDS.......For 2004
Having reviewed our current Service Standards and listened to feedback from our customers. We are pleased to announce that our Service Standards have recently been enhanced further, by the introduction of a service target for the provision of a Completion Certificate. This is in response to the acknowledgement of the growing importance given to Completion Certificates during property transactions.
The target will be 5 working days from the satisfactory completion of work ie. outstanding conditions have been resolved, Inspection Charges have been received, defects have been made good. This additional target will greatly assist both property developers and homeowners alike.
To help us speed up on this process, we would however appreciate it if our customers could ensure that all outstanding conditions have been satisfied and payments made before requesting a completion inspection. This means that we can help all of our customers to receive their certificate as soon as possible without any delays.
We have also reviewed and enhanced a further service target, this is our current service standard for plan checking. For 2004, we will aim to check 85% of all applications within 10 working days of submission. Our current service target is to check and respond to applications within 15 working days.
LATEST NEWS
Developers wish to make a start on site as quickly as possible with demolition work. In response to this, we have reviewed and revised our target for the issue of a Counter Notice. From April 2004, this was reduced from 5 to 2 working days.
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