Unlocking Progress: How to Make Building Safety Work for Growth
The construction industry is facing significant challenges in implementing the government’s building safety regulations, with the current gateway system causing unnecessary delays that are hindering progress, stifling innovation, and threatening the UK’s competitiveness in critical sectors. According to a report by Construction News, the implementation of gateways two and three has resulted in extended approval timelines, often stretching to 20 weeks or more, adding significant costs and introducing uncertainty.
"A revised system should allow for a staged approval process," according to the report. This sentiment is echoed by industry experts, who argue that the current system is not functioning as intended. The target review periods of 12 weeks and 8 weeks for gateways two and three, respectively, are not being met, resulting in delays of up to a year on important developments. This is particularly concerning given the government’s stated ambition to use planning and development as engines of economic growth.
The Building Safety Act, in its current form, is acting as a barrier to that goal, according to Construction News. If we are to unlock investment and accelerate delivery, a more pragmatic, streamlined approach is urgently required. A revised system should allow for a staged approval process, where safe and preparatory works can proceed while later-stage approvals are still under review. This approach would facilitate an earlier start on site, with each phase of works being approved in advance of that stage commencing.
A staged application would enable enabling works and substructure packages to be approved and commence on site, whilst the detailed design of the superstructure is still progressing. This would ensure that project momentum is maintained without compromising on the overarching safety objectives. The Construction News report highlights the need for a more efficient system, stating that "a commitment to improve responsiveness, reduce bottlenecks and provide consistent clarity on requirements is essential."
The Building Safety Regulator must be better resourced and supported to cope with the current volume of applications, according to Construction News. The lack of communication and the absence of clear guidance on the regulations are making it increasingly difficult to manage timelines, costs, and stakeholder expectations. These challenges are not theoretical, with companies such as Downing having eight key projects scheduled to begin on site within the next 18 months across major UK cities.
Ultimately, building safety reform should not be about red tape; it should be about delivering better, safer buildings more effectively. To achieve that, we need a regulatory framework that supports progress, not one that unintentionally obstructs it. As Construction News notes, "we call on the government to invest in building control capacity, streamline the gateway process, and deliver a regulatory environment that enables both safety and delivery." By doing so, the industry can ensure that building safety regulations are implemented in a way that supports growth, innovation, and investment, rather than hindering them.
The need for a more efficient and effective system is clear. As the construction industry continues to navigate the complexities of building safety regulations, it is essential that the government and industry stakeholders work together to create a regulatory framework that supports progress and delivers better, safer buildings. According to Construction News, this can be achieved by investing in building control capacity, streamlining the gateway process, and delivering a regulatory environment that enables both safety and delivery.
The proposals put forward provide an opportunity for the construction industry to move forward in a positive way. Construction News has provided expert analysis on this subject and their comments can be seen throughout this report and their views are welcomed.
