Summary
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has approved a mere 14% of developers’ remediation plans in the past year, sparking concerns about bottlenecks and delays. This slow progress raises questions about the effectiveness of the new building safety regime and its impact on the remediation of unsafe buildings. The BSR’s approval is a crucial step before remediation work can begin, and the current backlog is hindering progress towards ensuring building safety.
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Okay, so, let’s talk about the Building Safety Regulator, or BSR, which was set up after the Grenfell tragedy, right? Its job is to make sure unsafe buildings get fixed. Sounds pretty straightforward, doesn’t it?
But, here’s the thing, recent numbers show there’s a real problem with how quickly these plans are getting approved. It’s not good, at all. Between October 2023 and September 2024, they got over a thousand applications – 1,018 to be precise – through their Gateway 2 screening service, that’s where they check fire safety plans. Now, out of all those, only 146 (that’s a measly 14%) actually got the thumbs-up to start work.
That’s a shockingly low number.
As you can imagine, this has the construction industry and, even more importantly, the people living in those buildings quite concerned. Developers are, understandably, pulling their hair out, because the delays are just piling onto the already sky-high costs and timelines. And residents, well, they’re just left in this limbo, not knowing when, or if, their homes will be safe. I wouldn’t blame them for feeling anxious.
The BSR itself, has acknowledged the issues. They’ve said that a lot of applications came in at once – more than expected actually, which slowed things down a bit. Also, many of the submissions weren’t complete, or even clear, making things harder. They’re trying to streamline the process but it’s clearly a big hill to climb, a massive backlog remains and we can’t just hope the problem will vanish.
And it’s not just the Gateway 2 applications where the BSR’s having trouble. At a London Assembly fire committee meeting a BSR senior executive revealed something quite alarming, that 40% of general applications they receive, they simply don’t show that they meet basic building regulations. That’s across the board not just specific fire safety plans, which raises questions. How can we be sure buildings are being made safely, if a huge number of these projects are falling short from the get-go?
It’s hard not to see the bigger picture here.
Sure, the BSR is aiming for the highest standards, but this whole situation shows that overhauling building safety is seriously complex. These approval delays, they’re not just numbers; they’re people’s lives, and this needs resolving quickly. There has to be a clearer dialogue between the BSR and industry, it’s as simple as that.
It’s interesting that a lot of emphasis is rightly put on higher-risk buildings. But then, if such a high number of general applications are falling short, it does point to a pretty systemic problem in the industry itself doesn’t it? It’s not just about the new rules we have. There’s a definite need for better training and higher competency across the board to ensure that safety is made a priority from the very beginning. As part of the Building Safety Act 2022, new rules and responsibilities were brought in, but clearly that’s not enough on its own.
I know, that these figures are accurate as of January 28, 2025 and, of course things could change as the BSR tweaks its processes. Still, the bottleneck does just stress how urgently we need to fix all these issues and get these buildings safe, so the public can actually trust in them again, the built environment. The BSR’s key role in ensuring safety of these higher-risk buildings, through enforcing these building safety standards and regulations, it’s why this is all so important. Several key changes were introduced on October 1, 2023, by the way including those new systems and responsibilities under the Building Safety Act.
Ultimately, it’s a tough situation that needs everyone’s focus.
The low approval rate highlights the critical need for improved clarity and support in the application process. Perhaps workshops or clearer guidelines could help developers submit more complete and compliant plans, accelerating approvals and remediation.
Absolutely, the idea of workshops and clearer guidelines is spot on. It really could help developers navigate the process more effectively. This might also lead to a significant reduction in incomplete applications and ultimately speed up the whole approval process.
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
Thank you to our Sponsor Focus 360 Energy – https://focus360energy.co.uk
A measly 14%? At this rate, we’ll all be living in buildings held together with hope and good intentions. Maybe the BSR needs a ‘Building Safety for Dummies’ guide, or perhaps a magic wand?
That’s a great point about the need for a ‘Building Safety for Dummies’ guide! It highlights the need for more accessible resources and plain language explanations. Perhaps more simplified guidance could help improve application quality and reduce the backlog. It’s certainly worth exploring.
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
Thank you to our Sponsor Focus 360 Energy – https://focus360energy.co.uk
A measly 14% approved? Are the other 86% being reviewed by a panel of particularly grumpy badgers? Perhaps they need a softer approach, like maybe some soothing music during applications?
That’s a great point, the idea of a more ‘soothing’ approach is interesting! It does highlight that the application process may be a bit daunting for developers. Perhaps a more supportive environment could lead to better and more complete applications. Worth exploring!
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
Thank you to our Sponsor Focus 360 Energy – https://focus360energy.co.uk
The statistic regarding 40% of general applications not meeting basic building regulations is concerning. It suggests a systemic issue within the industry requiring greater emphasis on competency and adherence to standards, not just regulatory changes.
I agree, that 40% figure really does highlight a broader issue beyond just the new regulations. It points to a definite need to focus on competency and training within the industry itself. Perhaps that’s where some of the focus needs to be redirected.
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
Thank you to our Sponsor Focus 360 Energy – https://focus360energy.co.uk
So, 40% of general applications fail basic regulations, not just the fancy fire stuff? One might ask, what *are* they building? Cardboard castles held together with sticky tape? Maybe that’s where the real drama is hiding.