In England, removing a load-bearing wall is a material alteration under the Building Regulations 2010, so building control must approve it. You can give a building notice or apply with full plans, through the council or a registered building control approver, and a completion certificate is issued when the work is signed off.
Why does removing a wall need building regulations approval?
"Building work" includes a material alteration, which is one that would leave a building not complying with a requirement such as Part A (structure) where it previously did (regulation 3). Part A requires loads to be carried safely to the ground without harming another building. The Planning Portal confirms that removing a load-bearing wall needs building control approval, supported by a structural engineer's calculations.
Should I use a building notice or full plans?
Before work starts you either give a building notice or apply with full plans. GOV.UK describes building notices as suited to smaller projects: work can start two days after the notice is given, but there is no formal approval of the design. Full plans are checked first, with a decision within five weeks (or two months with your agreement). For most single-beam jobs in houses either route works; full plans gives more certainty for complex steelwork. See our guide to choosing.
Can I use a private approver instead of the council?
Yes. Homeowners can use the local authority or a registered building control approver. Since 6 April 2024, private building control businesses must register with the Building Safety Regulator. Competent person schemes do not cover structural work, so a beam always goes through one of these two routes.
What are dutyholders and do they affect me?
Since 1 October 2023 the Building Regulations have defined dutyholder roles: client, designer, contractor, principal designer and principal contractor (Part 2A). For domestic clients, where there is a single contractor that contractor carries out the client duties. Where there is more than one, the principal contractor usually does. In practice, appointing one firm to arrange the design, approval and installation keeps these roles clear.
Does the steel need fire protection?
Requirement B3 says a building's stability must be maintained for a reasonable period in a fire. Approved Document B gives minimum fire resistance periods for elements of structure; for typical houses 30 minutes is common, with longer periods in some cases. Building control confirms what your beam needs, and it is usually met with fire-rated plasterboard or an intumescent coating. See fire protection for steel beams.
What if a wall was removed without approval?
For unauthorised work carried out on or after 11 November 1985, the owner can apply to the local authority for a regularisation certificate (regulation 18). The council may ask for the work to be opened up for inspection. GOV.UK says regularisation is only available from a local authority, not a private approver.
Last checked 1 November 2026.