Frequently Asked Questions

i) Do I need to apply for Planning Permission?

The erection of most new buildings require approval by your Local Council under the Building Regulations prior to commencement. Larger buildings also require seperate permission under the Town and Country Planning Act.

Approvals are obtained by the completion of certain application forms which are then submitted to the Council together with appropriate drawings. Most Councils meet ever month to review applications and decisions are notified in writing shortly after the meeting. You should allow approximately eight weeks to obtain approvals.

The need for Building Regulations and/or Town and Country Planning approvals can best be ascertained by approaching your Local Council. An appointment with a Planning Officer is normally helpful when dealing with these matters. They will be able to provide you with advice and guidance and will also supply the necessary forms upon which applications should be made, together with the scale of fees that are payable in respect of each application.

ii) Is there a difference between Building Regulations Approval and Town and Country Planning Approval?

Building Regulations matters are dealt with by the Building Control Department. They will be concerned with the structural capability of the building and its foundations. Buildings are best sited at least one metre from any boundary. Expect to be asked to provide deeper foundations when building on clay.

You may be offered an alternative to Building Regulations approval called the Building Notice Procedure, whereby construction is approved by inspection in stages as it is carried out. Passmores do not recommend proceeding on a Building Notice. The Building Regulations are complex and it is better to be in receipt of an approved drawing (via. a Building Regulations Approval) than to attempt to anticipate the requirements of the Local Authority as construction work proceeds. This is particularly relevant with timber buildings where fire resistance due to boundary proximity can be an issue.

It is quite usual to receive a list of deficiencies or request for further information from the Building Control Inspectorate a few weeks after sumission of your application. Any such requests should be forwarded to Passmores for handling. Truss calculations and other structural data is available if required.

The Planning Officer deals with Town and Country Planning Approval. They are concerened with overall appearance and proposed use of the building. Samples of the felt roof and wall cladding are available from Passmores upon request. Whilst the felt roof specification will satisfy most circumstances, dark stained weatherboard cladding and steep pitch tile or slate roofs are favoured in sensitive locations.

iii) How do I apply for permission?

For Building Regulations Approval submit 2 copies of council form "Notice of Intended Building" duly completed together with 2 copies of a drawing (available from Passmores) and appropriate fee.

For Town and Country Planning Permission submit 4 copies of form TP1 duly completed together with 4 copies of a drawing (available from Passmores) and appropriate fee.

Note. The necessary forms together with guidance notes are usually available on line from your local Authority.

iv) Where do I get Planning drawings from?

Drawings can be ordered on line from Passmores at a cost of £58.75 including VAT. 

i) Do I have to lay a concrete base?

Yes - It really does make a better job and this will be a pre-requisite if you are seeking Building Regulations Approval .

ii) Do you provide information about the foundation?

Yes we supply a detailed drawing with dimensions. This is sent out as part of our order acknowledgement package.

iii) Do I need to set bolts into the concrete for fixing down?

No. Our building kits include ground anchor brackets and rawlbolts for fixing down.

iv) Can I use existing concrete?

Yes providing it is level but it is better if the base is the exact size of the building so that the bottom weatherboard overhangs and weathers the join.

i) How heavy are the components?

Most components are intended to be carried by 2 able bodied adults although it is best to have a third person to help with the oak front and the roof trusses.

ii) What skill level is required to assemble a building?

Our products enjoy a high degree of prefabrication in our factory and we consider assembly to be a semi skilled process requiring carpentry hand tools and a percussion drill for ground anchors.

This work is well within the capability of competant DIY'ers, alternatively most baseworks contractors are pleased to quote to assemble the timber superstructure, and in many cases to fit tiles to the roof.

iii) How will I know where each component goes?

We provide a complete packing list describing all items down to the last bolt and nail. Our assembly instructions provide detaile information and include explanitory sketches.

If you have any difficulty with assembly we will be pleased to talk you through the problem.

"I have now experienced erecting one of your timber buildings. We completed the job by 6 Sunday evening having commenced on Friday afternoon. The job went without a hitch. We were very impressed with the overall quality and the simplicity with which the whole thing went together."Mr. H - Berkshire (double Carriage House and workshop - Tiled roof)