ARB Registration (Architects Registration Board) Building Regulations, Statutory Control and Building Safety Syllabus

Building Regulations, Statutory Control and Building Safety syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Building Regulations, Statutory Control and Building Safety in ARB Registration (Architects Registration Board), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   The Planning System

   5 topics

   • Town and Country Planning framework
     • Development plans, NPPF and material considerations
     • Permitted development and the need for permission
   • Making and determining planning applications
   • Conservation areas, listed buildings and heritage assets
   • Planning conditions, obligations (s.106) and CIL
   • Appeals and enforcement
2. 2

   Building Regulations and Approved Documents

   5 topics

   • The Building Regulations 2010 and approval routes
     • Building control bodies and registered building inspectors
     • Full plans, building notice and completion certificates
   • Approved Documents A-S and their scope
   • Fire safety: Approved Document B and means of escape
   • Accessibility: Approved Document M and inclusive design
   • Energy and overheating: Approved Documents L and O
3. 3

   The Building Safety Act 2022 Regime

   5 topics

   • Higher-risk buildings and the gateway process
     • Gateways 1, 2 and 3 approvals
     • Definition and scope of higher-risk buildings
   • Dutyholders and competence requirements
   • The golden thread of information
   • The Building Safety Regulator and HSE role
   • Lessons from the Grenfell Inquiry and Hackitt Review
4. 4

   Other Statutory and Site Obligations

   4 topics

   • CDM Regulations 2015 and the Principal Designer duty
   • Party Wall etc. Act 1996 procedures
   • Rights of light, boundaries and easements
   • Health and safety law on construction sites

Building Regulations, Statutory Control and Building Safety flashcards for ARB Registration (Architects Registration Board)

21 of 59 cards from the Building Regulations, Statutory Control and Building Safety deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the primary Act that established the modern Town and Country Planning system in England and Wales?

   The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990) is the principal Act consolidating planning law, supported by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the Planning Act 2008.

2. What document sets out the government's overarching planning policies for England and how they should be applied?

   The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which is supported by online Planning Practice Guidance (PPG). It carries a 'presumption in favour of sustainable development'.

3. Define 'development' as set out in section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

   'The carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any buildings or other land.'

4. What is permitted development and where are the rights set out?

   Development that may be carried out without an express planning application because it is granted planning permission by the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) 2015. Rights can be removed by an Article 4 Direction or planning conditions.

5. What is the statutory determination period for a minor planning application versus a major application in England?

   8 weeks for minor/householder applications and 13 weeks for major applications (16 weeks where an Environmental Impact Assessment is required), unless an extension of time is agreed.

6. What are the three main types of planning permission application?

   Outline planning permission (establishes principle, reserves matters), full (detailed) planning permission, and approval of reserved matters. Also householder applications for domestic works.

7. What is meant by a 'material consideration' in determining a planning application?

   Any consideration genuinely connected to the use and development of land that is relevant to the planning merits — e.g. design, highways, amenity, the NPPF. Applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise (s.38(6) PCPA 2004).

8. What is the statutory definition of a listed building and who maintains the list?

   A building of special architectural or historic interest included on the list compiled by the Secretary of State (DCMS) under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Historic England advises and maintains the National Heritage List for England.

9. What are the three grades of listed building in England and what do they signify?

   Grade I (exceptional interest, ~2.5% of listings), Grade II* (particularly important, more than special interest), and Grade II (special interest, the majority of listed buildings).

10. What consent is required to demolish, alter or extend a listed building in a way that affects its character?

    Listed Building Consent (LBC). Carrying out such works without consent is a criminal offence under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

11. What is a conservation area and what extra control applies within one?

    An area of special architectural or historic interest whose character or appearance it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Conservation area consent and stricter controls apply, including restrictions on demolition and the requirement for 6 weeks' notice before works to trees.

12. Define a 'heritage asset' and distinguish designated from non-designated assets.

    A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape with heritage significance. Designated assets are statutorily protected (listed buildings, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks); non-designated assets are identified locally but lack statutory designation.

13. What is the difference between a planning condition and a planning obligation?

    A planning condition is imposed unilaterally by the authority restricting/regulating development; a planning obligation (s.106 agreement) is a negotiated, binding contract requiring the developer to provide contributions or works (e.g. affordable housing).

14. What are the six tests that a planning condition must satisfy per the NPPF?

    A condition must be: (1) necessary, (2) relevant to planning, (3) relevant to the development permitted, (4) enforceable, (5) precise, and (6) reasonable in all other respects.

15. What is a Section 106 agreement (planning obligation) and under which Act is it made?

    A legally binding obligation under s.106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 between a developer and local authority, used to make development acceptable (e.g. affordable housing, infrastructure contributions, restrictions on use).

16. What is the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and how does it differ from a s.106 obligation?

    CIL is a non-negotiable, standardised charge (£ per m² of new floorspace) levied by a charging authority to fund infrastructure. Unlike s.106, it is tariff-based, not negotiated, and applies generally rather than site-specifically.

17. Within what period must an appeal against refusal of a householder planning application normally be lodged?

    Within 12 weeks of the decision for householder applications; 6 months for most other planning applications and refusals; appeals are made to the Planning Inspectorate.

18. What are the three procedures by which a planning appeal can be determined?

    Written representations, an informal hearing, or a public inquiry. The Planning Inspectorate decides the procedure based on the complexity and issues raised.

19. What is an enforcement notice and what is the usual immunity period for unauthorised operational development?

    A notice requiring breaches of planning control to be remedied. Under recent (LURA 2023) rules the immunity period is now 10 years for both operational development and change of use to a single dwellinghouse (previously 4 years for operations).

20. What is a stop notice and how does it relate to an enforcement notice?

    A notice that prohibits a specified activity (a breach of planning control) from continuing; it must accompany or follow an enforcement notice and takes effect quickly to halt harmful activity pending compliance.

21. Under which legislation are the Building Regulations 2010 made, and what is their purpose?

    Made under the Building Act 1984. They set minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure health, safety, welfare, convenience, energy efficiency and sustainability of people in and around buildings.

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