The Building Control team ensures that buildings and structures conform to all building regulations, associated legislation and codes of practice in terms of their construction and materials and that they have adequate fire precautions and access arrangements.

The Development Control Team determines planning applications in the context of relevant planning considerations; gives information about applications to the general public; gives advice about the need for planning permissions and to those seeking to make a planning application, and gives extensive publicity to neighbours and the general public when planning applications are submitted. A variety of advice leaflets are available to the public on request to assist them in making planning applications. Planning applications can be viewed at the Civic Offices' Customer Services reception.

Information for anyone wishing to seek advice from the Council about whether a proposed extension or alteration will require planning permission or not.

The Council provides a land charges registration service and deals with enquiries submitted in connection with conveyancing matters.

The Planning Policy Team deal mainly with the local part of the statutory Development Plan and are currently preparing the Local Development Framework ( LDF ) which will replace the Local Plan. They also prepare supplementary planning documents and promote the implementation of plan proposals. They make Planning Policy comments on Development Control Planning Applications.