What is the LABC?

Southern Building Control Partnership is represented by Local Authority Building Control (LABC).

LABC represents Building Control services provided by councils across England and Wales. It supports local authorities by setting professional standards, sharing best practice, and providing guidance to help ensure Building Control services are consistent, reliable, and high quality.

How can LABC Support you?

LABC supports you by providing clear, practical guidance on building regulations before and during your project. Through LABC Front Door, a national information website, homeowners, builders, and designers can access straightforward advice on common projects such as extensions, loft conversions, garage conversions, and home improvements.

Produced by Local Authority Building Control (LABC), the guidance is independent, impartial, and based on public‑sector standards. It helps you understand when building regulations approval is needed, the difference between planning permission and building control, and key requirements around safety, energy efficiency, and compliance.

LABC Front Door is a trusted source of national guidance, supporting the local advice and single point of contact we provide throughout your project.

LABC also have an online search tool to find a Competent Person for your project.

LABC: Partnerships, Awards & Industry Support

LABC represents us as part of a national network of local authority building control teams, working together across England and Wales to improve standards and support high-quality construction.

Through the Partner Authority Scheme (PAS) and their Building Excellence Awards, LABC recognises great work and helps set high standards across the industry. They also provide training and learning opportunities, along with services like LABC Warranty, supporting builders and smaller companies to deliver safe, high-quality projects with confidence.

Building Safety Levy

Partner Authority Scheme

Become part of a collaborative network of builders, developers, architects, engineers, surveyors and construction professionals committed to delivering safe, compliant and successful projects.

Through the LABC Partner Authority Scheme (PAS), Southern Building Control Partnership works closely with industry professionals to provide expert building control support, technical guidance and a consistent approach across local authority boundaries. As a PAS partner, you become part of the wider LABC network, giving you access to trusted public sector building control expertise throughout England and Wales.

Why Partner With Us?

As an industry partner, you’ll benefit from

  • Access to experienced Registered Building Inspectors

  • Support with Building Regulations compliance

  • Updates on legislative and regulatory changes

  • CPD events, seminars and learning opportunities

  • National support through the LABC Partner Authority Scheme

  • A collaborative approach focused on achieving successful project outcomes

We are committed to building long-term relationships with industry professionals, providing the support, knowledge and expertise needed to deliver safe, compliant and high-quality developments. Join our growing professional network and discover how Southern Building Control Partnership can support your projects now and in the future.

How the Partner Scheme Works

If your project is outside the Southern Building Control Partnership areas and you have registered through the LABC Partner Authority Scheme (PAS)  use our service for the plan assessment stage of your project.

  • Submit a Full Plans application to Southern Building Control Partnership

  • We notify the local authority where the project is located that we will be carrying out the plan assessment

  • Our building control inspectors review your proposals and work with you to resolve any technical issues

  • Once the plan check is complete, we notify the local authority, where the project is located, of our recommendation

  • The local authority where the project is located issues will then issue the formal plans decision

  • The local authority where the project is located then takes responsibility for site inspections during construction