The government has announced a package of reforms for the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) in an attempt to speed up application processes
The BSR has been moved to a new Executive Agency within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Further reforms include a new Fast Track Process to speed up or unblock applications –measures that the government hopes will drive its delivery of 1.5m high-quality homes.
The BSR reforms target high-rise building applications
It is hoped that the new process will speed up the approval of high-rise buildings, including homes, by bringing building inspectors and engineers directly into the BSR to provide expertise during reviews.
Furthermore, the BSR is set to grow as long-term investment is being placed into the regulator to cover 100 new members of staff.
It has also been announced that Andy Roe will take the role of a non-executive chair of a new board within the MHCLG that will take on the functions of the BSR, the first step towards creating a single construction regulator.
Andy has previously worked as commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, and will be supported by the new CEO of the BSR, Charlie Pugsley.
Philip White, director of building safety at the BSR, announced earlier this month that he would be stepping down from his role.
Loss of confidence in the BSR
Around the same time White announced his departure from the BSR, the ACQP accused the BSR of:
- Lack of built environment expertise
The HSE is not a construction regulator. Its staff, systems and oversight frameworks are not designed to deal with building control, cladding, fire engineering or long-term structural risks.
- Slow and ineffective enforcement
ACQP members report delayed interventions on high-risk buildings, with many unsafe structures still occupied and unresolved years after issues were flagged.
- Low visibility and engagement
There is widespread concern that the BSR is distant, bureaucratic and disconnected from the professionals and residents it is meant to support.
- Cultural misalignment
The HSE’s long-standing risk-based, reactive enforcement culture does not align with the proactive, high-stakes demands of modern building safety oversight.
Furthermore, in June, the House of Lords began an inquiry into the BSR’s approval process to determine why the approval rate is both slow and low.
At the launch of the inquiry, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, chair of the Industry and Regulators Committee, said: “The Committee wants to hear from all stakeholders to find out if the BSR has the skills and resources required to ensure the safety of all buildings and its residents in the process of approving applications for high-rise buildings.
“This is crucial if the Government is going to achieve its manifesto target of building 1.5m homes over the next Parliament.”
Industry reactions to the BSR reforms
British Property Federation chief executive, Melanie Leech, said: “We have been pushing for improvements to the performance of the Building Safety Regulator for several months, and it’s good to see the Government respond with a significant package of measures.
“Delays in the operation of the building safety regime are undermining investor confidence, holding back the delivery of new homes and adding to uncertainty for residents still waiting for cladding to be removed from their buildings.
“Like the Government we want to see a system that balances proportionate regulation without compromising safety. We welcome the commitment to build the resource in the new arm’s length body but recognise that it will take time, so the new fast track process is important to unblock decisions quickly now.
“We also welcome the commitment to greater transparency which will be important in re-building confidence in the building safety regime. We stand ready to work with Government to develop guidance and to consider the opportunity to harness technology to further improve processes at all stages of the building safety pathway.”
A release by the Construction Industry Council said: “This development represents a crucial milestone on the path toward the creation of a Single Regulator, strengthening oversight and coordination within the built environment.
“The Construction Industry Council will continue to monitor this transition closely and keep members informed as further details emerge.”
Dave Seed, managing director of Qube Residential, said: “The building safety reforms implemented within England in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire have been vital in ensuring people feel confident that they are safe in their homes. The sector should celebrate the changes announced yesterday that will help unlock delays and accelerate housebuilding as we continue to grapple with the housing crisis.
“Whilst it is important that we continue to build much needed homes, we need to do so safely. It is crucial that we centralise safety within construction processes instead of rushing to simply get these homes built. That is why the establishment of a single construction regulator is the most compelling reform announced yesterday – having a central set of guidelines that ensures the safety of those living in the homes we’re building and investing in remains the top priority.”
Sean Keyes, CEO of Sutcliffe, said: “The government’s ambition to deliver 1.5m high-quality, safe homes is one we fully support and we welcome any efforts to streamline and strengthen the regulatory landscape that supports this ambition, but the current delays in the building safety approval process are a significant barrier to progress. While we welcome the newly announced reforms to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), including the introduction of a Fast Track Process and investment in additional expertise, it must be matched with swift and meaningful action if we are to address the very real challenges facing the industry today.
“For too long, slow approvals and unclear guidance have hampered the industry’s ability to bring forward much-needed developments, particularly high-rise residential schemes. These delays don’t just impact developers; they affect communities waiting for new homes by stalling the delivery of essential housing projects, and residents living in buildings that require urgent safety upgrades.
“At Sutcliffe, we believe that a successful regulatory framework must strike the right balance, ensuring robust oversight and accountability without creating unnecessary bottlenecks. We support the move towards a more proactive, transparent, and responsive BSR, and we are committed to working collaboratively with government and industry partners to help develop guidance, embrace innovation, and ultimately deliver the safe, sustainable homes our country urgently needs.
“We look forward to seeing the BSR evolve into a more responsive, better-resourced body, and hope that this marks the beginning of a more joined-up, efficient approach to building safety regulation that supports delivery without compromising quality.”
