Building Consultancy News

• Amendments to fee charges and inspection request procedures
• Part G comments

Amendments to Building Consultancy Fee Charges and Inspection Request Procedures

From 1^st April 2008 Building Consultancy fees will be increased by 3% in line with the current level of inflation. This is the first increase since 2003 and includes all Schedules (1, 2 & 3) as well as Regularisation applications. Details of the revised fees are available on our web site or by contacting the office - details at the bottom of the page.

Building Consultancy continues to provide a competitive high quality service to all our customers. To help maintain our service delivery the current system for inspection requests will be amended from the 1^st April 2008.

All inspection requests made before 16.30pm will be guaranteed a next day morning or afternoon visit. Morning calls will be between 08.00am and 12.00noon. Afternoon calls will be between 12.00noon and 16.30pm. Same day inspections requests can be made up to 09.30am; however these calls will be made between 10.00 and 16.30. This will enable Surveyors to start on sites earlier in the mornings when required, and aid in a more effective allocation of site inspections.

Part G Consultation

Purpose of consultation

This consultation paper seeks views on proposals by the Government to change the Requirements of Part G, Hygiene, of Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations, and the associated guidance in Approved Document G. The proposed new Approved Document G would be titled ‘Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency’ to reflect the revised scope of the Approved Document (AD).

Approved Document G was last updated in 1992 although a number of nontechnical amendments were made in 2000. Since 1992, plumbing and building practice has moved on, standards and legislation have changed and technology has developed. Both industry and Communities and Local Government agree that the language and references need to be brought up to date and that a number of other changes are required to reflect current Government policy.

It is proposed that in future Part G the Approved Document will be made up of:

• G1 Cold Water Services
• G2 Water Efficiency
• G3 Hot Water Services
• G4 WCs and associated facilities
• G5 Bathrooms
• G6 Food Preparation Areas
• G7 Sanitary Appliances

This consultation paper works through each of these sections and asks a number of questions about the options for change that the Government has considered. All proposals in this document have been reviewed with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee.

The Part G Consultation Paper (external link) is available on the Communities website.

If you would like to speak to a member of the Building Consultancy Team please contact us, details below.

Contact Details

Building Consultancy

Email - buildingconsultancy@chester.gov.uk

Opening hours - 8.45am - 4.45pm

Phone number - 01244 402224

Fax - 01244 321876

Address - Building Consultancy, Development Directorate, Chester City Council, The Forum, Chester, CH1 2HS