Mar 18 2008
Communities UK reports that the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I.2008/671) were laid on 13 March 2008. These increase the time, from six months to two years, within which local authorities may bring prosecutions for breaches of certain specified climate change related building regulations provisions, including those set out in Part L of the Building Regulations. The Department consulted on this increase last year and the responses were almost unanimously in favour.
The increased time limit will give local authorities a better opportunity to prosecute breaches which may only come to light after the current time limit has expired or where remedial work is promised but not carried out. As a result it will allow local authorities to use their powers more effectively and will act as a greater deterrent to non-compliance.
A clause in the Housing and Regeneration Bill, which is currently being considered by Parliament, would extend the longer prosecution time limit to breaches of all building regulations provisions.