The Building Safety Regulator has taken significant steps to address delays in building control approvals, following industry concerns and a marked increase in applications.
- A surge in applications, attributed to over 50 projects being paused after a building control firm’s liquidation, has pressured the new regulatory system.
- In response, the Building Safety Regulator has allocated additional resources and is actively engaging with applicants to clear the backlog and ensure timely processing.
- Industry leaders have expressed concerns over application standards and inspector shortages, which threaten to further delay high-rise residential construction projects.
- The Building Safety Regulator emphasises the importance of high-quality and compliant applications to facilitate quicker approvals.
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has responded to a surge in applications for high-rise residential project approvals, an unexpected challenge that arose from the insolvency of a private building control firm. This has directly impacted more than 50 projects, resulting in significant delays within the approval process.
To mitigate these delays, the BSR has committed additional resources. These steps come after a crucial meeting with the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), aiming to allay industry concerns about the prolonged building control application timescales. The regulator is working to maintain open channels of communication with applicants and has begun setting clear expectations on the quality of submissions needed.
There is an acknowledged shortage of building control inspectors, which has exacerbated fears of extended wait times. The BSR is tasked with adhering to statutory deadlines of 12 weeks for new high-rise building applications and six weeks for refurbishment projects. However, some contractors have reported waiting periods stretching to 20 weeks.
The BSR clarified that new applications would be handled in regular timelines, ensuring they do not contribute to the existing backlog. Despite efforts to ramp up resources, there was no confirmation whether additional hiring or outsourcing was undertaken.
Established under the shadow of the Grenfell Tower fire to oversee higher-risk buildings, the BSR now mandates that all new high-rise buildings receive its approval before construction begins. These buildings are defined as those taller than seven storeys or over 18 metres with multiple residential units.
Multidisciplinary teams process applications, consisting of regulatory leads and case officers, along with external building and fire safety inspectors. Personnel numbers, initially narrow, are expected to grow significantly throughout the year. Concerns linger over the adequacy of application details, particularly in smaller projects.
In its statements, the BSR stressed the importance of comprehensive submissions that clearly demonstrate regulatory compliance, particularly as pre-application advice remains limited. The call for applicants to enhance the quality of their submissions is aimed at smoothing the overall process, ensuring projects meet stringent building safety standards.
The regulator’s strategic allocation of resources and focus on quality submissions aim to alleviate industry-wide delays in building approvals.
