News
Building warrant fees increase from 01 April 2024
The fees set by the Scottish Government for building warrant applications increased from 01 April 2024 - see Building Standards fee table. The discounts available for submitting Certificates of Design (for Structures and/or Energy) and Certificates of Construction (for electrical and/or plumbing/heating/drainage) have also been revised.
Update to cost of works
The Midlothian Cost Index document has been updated. This document helps you work out the minimum acceptable costs for different types of building works in Midlothian. From this cost you can then work out the fee required for a building warrant application.
2024 Technical Handbooks
The most up to date technical guidance, as presented in the 2024 Technical Handbooks (which came into force from 01 April 2024), is available for download from the Building Standards section of the Scottish Government website.
National Customer Satisfaction survey
The National Customer Satisfaction survey for Building Standards customers was launched on the 1 April 2022. You can read more about the survey in the Building Standards Division’s blog.
Remote video inspections
Midlothian Building Standards continues to undertake inspections as work on site progresses.
Following Scottish Government guidance on using alternative evidence, we are able to undertake key stage inspections listed on your CCNP typically using remote video inspections.
- Notifications should be given to Midlothian Building Standards for every key Inspection Stage listed on your CCNP, before the work progresses on to the next stage. Upon receipt of your notifications, the case surveyor will decide how to progress with inspections, and whether alternative evidence should be submitted.
- Please do not submit any documents (including photographs) unless they have been specifically requested by the case surveyor (but do keep a full photographic record of the work).
- Please also note that if the building warrant is an electronic one, once all the work is completed, all the supporting documents listed on your CCNP are to be submitted via the eBuilding Standards portal, as detailed in your Building Warrant pack (rather than be emailed to the case surveyor directly).
Download full guidance on remote inspections
eBuilding Standards live
Following the success of the ePlanning system, the Scottish Government has worked with Scottish local authorities to develop a similar system of lodging building warrant applications electronically.
Once an electronic building warrant has been granted, homeowners, tenants or building owners can complete and send electronic documents to us.
Processing of paper applications
The Scottish Government's eDevelopment portal opened for Building Warrant applications and related submissions in August 2016, and we now receive in excess of 90% of applications electronically via the eBuilding Standards portal.
From August 2016, we have processed both paper and electronic applications, and we have found that the administrative burden for paper applications is considerably more than for electronic applications.
To help provide a better service for all our customers, from January 2021 all paper applications received are now scanned and processed in the same way as electronic applications. All communications and (electronic) paperwork associated with paper applications are now sent to the applicant's/agent's email address, and no letters are posted out. For the very infrequent cases where email addresses are genuinely not available, an alternative solution is available.
We hope that all paper-based applicants and agents will consider switching to electronic applications, so that they too can access all the benefits of submitting electronic applications via the eBuilding Standards portal.
Advantages of certification
The Building Standard Division of the Scottish Government is promoting a blog from a member of the SELECT electrical scheme, outlining the advantages of certification.
Building Standards Certification Scheme providers in Scotland have also jointly released a new animation explaining the vital role of certification to Scotland's construction sector.
The 90-second film - which can be viewed here (external link) - outlines the many benefits certification can bring to the post-pandemic landscape and how it can help the industry rebuild and recover from the impact of Coronavirus, including:
- Better health and safety, with reduced bodies on site.
- Improved efficiency and productivity, thanks to fewer delays and hold-ups.
- Increased peace of mind, with the highest standards upheld.
Availability of our structural engineer
Our structural engineer visits our office on a regular basis, and can be contacted via the case surveyor.
Gorebridge gas protection measures
Following earlier incidents of mine gas migration into residential properties, to secure the health and safety of potential building occupiers in the Gorebridge area, Midlothian Council has implemented a Gorebridge Gas Protection Measures policy. The policy is implemented by the Building Standards Section, in parallel with all building warrant applications for works within the Gorebridge geographical defined area.
Construction Compliance & Notification Plans (CCNPs)
When you receive your building warrant pack, please read the CCNP.
You should notify us at each key construction stage listed on the CCNP, so that we can arrange an inspection. It is important that the CCNP is given to the person in charge of delivering the work on site.
If you are an agent involved only in obtaining the building warrant, please ensure that the building warrant pack is passed and explained to your client.