BUILDING REGULATIONS – Transitional Provisions

Everyone should be aware by now that new Building Regulations amendments, Approved Document Part L in particular, will come into force on 1st October 2010.


Unfortunately, in my experience, many developers, designers and builders haven’t got to grips with the current regulations yet, so there is no way they will be ready for another change. This next set of amendments will have a massive effect on an industry that is still struggling to understand the current regulations.

Apart from anything else, the reduction in allowable CO2 emissions of a further 25% on current regulations and more stringent air leakage test requirements will have a drastic effect on design and cost of new homes. But there is still time, and you can delay the effect of the changes if you have a project due to start, so don’t get caught out.

As with all regulation changes, there are transition proposals designed to reduce the impact.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE PROPOSALS WILL SAVE SERIOUS COST INCREASES.

The following is an excerpt from the Communities and Local Government Circular 03/2010

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TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

15. The transitional provisions set out in S.I. 2010/719 apply only to the changes made to Parts F, J and L of Schedule 1. Transitional provisions for Part G are in S.I. 2009/1219 as amended by S.I. 2009/2465. There are no transitional provisions in respect of the amendments made to Schedule 2A or Schedule 2B to the Building Regulations.

16. There are three transitional provisions:

i. Where building work has started before 1 October 2010, the work may continue as if the amendments in the Amendment Regulations had not been made.

ii. Where a contract for work has been agreed and the all the building work would fall within the types of work set out in Schedule 2A or Schedule 2B to the Building Regulations, the work may be carried out as if the amendments in the Amendment Regulations had not been made provided that the work begins before 6 April 2011.

iii. Where a building notice, an initial notice, a plans certificate and amendment notice or a public body’s notice has been given, or full plans submitted, before 1 October 2010, the work may be carried out as if the amendments in the Amendment Regulations had not been made provided that the work begins before 1 October 2011.

For more information or to book a test, call me on 01484 686649 or visit my website on http://www.hometestingyorkshire.co.uk/

I hope this helps,

Matt