New Building Regulations from October 2023
On 15 June 2022 significant changes to building regulations came into effect for for new homes, extensions, existing buildings and non-domestic buildings. New homes and buildings in England will have to produce significantly less carbon dioxide (CO2) under new rules.
Under the new regulations, CO2 emissions from new build homes must be around 30% lower than current standards and emissions from other new buildings, including offices and shops, must be reduced by 27%.
What action do I need to take?
The new building regulations came into force for applications made on and after 15 June 2022. The new requirements do not apply to applications made to us prior to June 15 2022, providing substantial building work has begun before 15 June 2023. This gives 1 year for commencement of work. It's your responsibility to notify your Building Control Surveyor, to allow for a satisfactory commencement to be recorded.
The commencement of work would usually be marked by work such as:
- Excavation for strip or trench foundations or for pad footings
- Digging out and preparation of ground for raft foundations
- Vibrofloatation (stone columns) piling, boring for piles or pile driving
- Drainage work specific to the building(s) concerned
We consider that the following sorts of work would not be likely to constitute the commencement of work:
- Removal of vegetation
- Demolition of any previous buildings on the site
- Removal of top soil
- Removal of treatment of contaminated soil
- Excavation of trial holes
- Dynamic compaction
- General site servicing works (e.g. roadways)
Guidance for applications made after 15 June 2022
We have produced two guides to help explain the changes:
Guidance to the new regulations for new dwellings
Guidance to the new regulations for extensions and alterations
New approved documents
Alongside amendments to the Building Regulations, the government have published 5 new Approved Documents on GOV.UK:
Part L looks at the energy efficiency of properties, part F looks to improve ventilation and part O looks to ensure buildings don’t overheat.