Things You Need To Know About Planning And Building Regs Drawings

Not many people know the difference between architectural/ planning drawings and building regulation drawings. In fact, it’s a frequently asked question. So this blog will give you all the answers.  

Planning drawings –  

Firstly, planning drawings are architectural designs. They are for planning purposes only and require manipulation when it comes to the building stage.  

They have no reference to the construction methods used. So, they contain no detail on how the building will be constructed.  

Building regulations drawings –  

These are a set of detailed plans and construction details. They are submitted to the local building control department. The designs go into much more detail than the planning application ones.  

They incorporate structural information from the engineer, insulation calculations. And proof of compliance with all the relevant parts of the building regulations.  

Here is an example of planning drawings – 

Planning Application Drawings
  • Different hatches distinguish exiting and new works 
  • Overall room dimensions only 
  • Simplified graphics 
  • No detailed information  
  • Walls illustrated as a solid hatch (no build-up information) 

As well as examples of building regs drawings –  

Extension plans, Kitchen extension, Bromsgrove
  • Fully dimensioned plans  
  • Detailed specification notes 
  • Complete construction information  
  • Full building reg compliance information  
  • Wall build-ups confirmed and illustrated 
  • Product specific details incorporated  
  • References made to other drawings   

firstly, building regulation approval is not the same as planning permission. Even though, planning permission and building regs approval (building control) are two separate pieces of legislation. Sometimes you may need both; sometimes you may need only one; or none at all.  

Most structural work, whether it’s for a new house or flats, alterations, extensions, or change of use, requires building regulations approval.  

In addition, building control is used to guarantee that any new building work complies with the building regulations. This happens by looking over plans and submitting an application. And then inspecting the construction works as it progresses on site.  

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