Standards and regulations

Anyone involved in retail design should be aware of some basic regulations and building standards.

Planning Permission

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

• Controls ‘development work’ permission for new buildings, extensions alterations to existing buildings and structures and changes of use of a building type for use classification.
• The same rules apply for works in Scotland but are controlled by different legislation: the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.
• Applications are submitted to the relevant local authority planning departments - fees are levied by central government. Eight-week timescale.

Listed Building Consent

Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

• As well as requiring standard planning approval, buildings/projects/sites may have listed building status or be within a conservation area - if so an additional approval is required.
• Applications are submitted to the local authority planning department. Eight week timescale - no fees charged.

Advertisement Consent

Town and Country Planning Act (Control of Advertisements) 1992

• Controls signage approval for stores and buildings - both illuminated and non-illuminated.
• Applications are submitted to the local authority planning departments. Scale of fees applies.

Building Regulations

The Building Act 1994 England and Wales

• Controls the structural elements and materials used in buildings for compliance with: Technical Standards, Codes of Practice and British Standards, means of escape requirements.
• Applications are submitted to either the local authority planning department or private building consultants to approve.
• Includes consultations with the Fire Officer for compliance with Fire Precautions Act and means of escape from buildings.
• Eight week timescale. Scale of fees levied by central government.

Fire Precautions Act 1971

• The legislation that controls means of escape and firefighting provisions within buildings.

Party Wall etc Act 1996

• Applies to England and Wales - where works within buildings affect a wall shared with another property or structure.
• Clients must appoint a party wall surveyor to make a ‘party wall award’ for the works to be completed.

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM)1994

• Designers have a legal duty to advise clients to appoint a planning supervisor.
• Designers are required to design with due consideration for compliance with Health and Safety standards and safe methods of construction, maintenance and where applicable demolition of structures and buildings.
• Projects need to comply with CDM 1994 regulations.

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

• Buildings are required to comply with access for disabled persons.
• Legislation is controlled under the Part M Building Regulations.
• From 2004 all new buildings must comply with full access