Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (the principal Regulations). They do not apply to building work which has been completed, or for which plans or building notices have been deposited with a district council before the coming into operation of these Regulations.

These Regulations amend Part A of, and Schedules 2 and 5 to, the principal Regulations as follows—

A new regulation A10A introduces provisions relating to applications for two or more buildings that are or contain dwellings. Under this regulation, where work has not been commenced on any individual building on such an application, a district council may declare the plans for those particular buildings to be of no effect under the provisions of Article 19 of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (as amended).

Regulations A11(5)(e) and (f) have been amended to clarify that a Target carbon dioxide Emissions Rate, a Building carbon dioxide Emissions Rate or Dwelling carbon dioxide Emissions Rate shall be submitted where these have been calculated to demonstrate compliance when a building undergoes a material change of use.

Regulation A13(2)(b)(ii) has been amended to reflect changes to other fire safety legislation.

Schedule 2 has been amended to reflect consequential changes brought about by amendments to regulations A11 and A13.

Schedule 5 now takes account of the application of Amendments Booklet AMD5 to Technical Booklets E, F1, F2 and L.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared. Copies may be downloaded from www.buildingregulationsni.gov.uk, or alternatively, hard copies may be requested from Building Standards Branch, Department of Finance and Personnel, Level 5, Causeway Exchange, 1-7 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7EG.

These Regulations were notified in draft to the European Commission in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC, as amended by Directive 98/48/EC.