You must get all the approvals you need before you start work. If you have appointed an agent, they may do this on your behalf.
If you have to pay a fee for an approval, you must list it on your application form as ‘ancillary works’.
You may be able to reclaim reasonable costs as part of your grant.
Approvals
Planning permission
You won’t usually need planning permission unless:
- you are adding to or changing the structure of the property
- the building is listed
- it is in a conservation area
- you live in a flat or maisonette as these may have specific rules
Speak to your local council if you are unsure whether your require planning permission. You will also find a useful guide on the planning portal.
Planning applications take on average 8 to 10 weeks to be decided.
Building regulation approval
You will usually need building regulation approval if you are:
- making structural alterations
- creating new drainage
- changing the internal arrangement of a home
- changing thermal elements or controlled services such as installing a new boiler
Your contractor or agent should be able to tell you if you need building regulation approval.
If you are not sure, contact the Building Control service for advice before you start work. You can contact building control at building.control@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Contractors that belong to registered competent persons schemes may be able to self-certify the work.
Structural survey
If you are making structural changes, you may need to find a structural engineer to assess the work first.
They will provide the calculations you need for building control approval. If you have an agent, they may be able to tell you if you need to do this.
If you are unsure, please seek advice from a qualified person such as a structural surveyor or an architect.
Dropped kerb application
If your adaptations need a dropped kerb, you will need to make an application to the highways and transport department.
There are certain conditions you must meet before permission will be given. You can find more information on our dropped kerb pages.
Landlord approval
If you are a tenant, you will need to get written permission from your landlord to carry out alterations. This includes houseboat and caravan owners who rent a pitch or mooring.
You will find a consent form in your application pack. You should send this to your landlord or housing association. They must sign the consent form and return it to you. It may be a good idea to provide a self-addressed and stamped return envelope for them to use.
If you are a long-term leaseholder, we will need approval from the freeholder. If your property is part of a shared ownership scheme, we will need approval from your landlord.
If the works would impact other interested parties (such as neighbours), they will need to give permission for the works to go ahead. An example of this situation would be if you live in a flat or an assisted living dwelling.
Approvals checklist
Before you can submit an application, you will need to check the following:
- Has the scheme been agreed by your occupational therapist and the DFG service?
- Do you need planning permission?
- Do you need building regulation approval (if yes, will your contractor self-certify the work?)
- If you are a tenant, have you got written consent from your landlord?
- If you are a caravan or houseboat owner, have you got written consent from your site or mooring owner?
- If you own a property with others, have you got their written consent?
- If you have a party (shared) wall, have you got permission from your neighbour?
Before you can start
Your contractor and agent must follow the recommendations and guidance of the occupational therapist and DFG service when they plan your adaptation.
Once you know what you intend to do you must get written agreement for your scheme from your occupational therapist and the DFG service.