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Project of the week: Trinity School Sevenoaks

In the first of a new series looking at recently completed projects we speak to WIllmott Dixon construction manager Chris Evans to find out the challenges and solutions facing the construction of a secondary school in Kent.

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The Passive Fire Knowledge Group: A different kind of industry collaboration

The latest building control gateway 2 update from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) shows a continuing de-gumming of this new and complex process. The 12 weeks to 30 May saw an increase in approval rates across all categories of applications, including existing building safety projects, after it introduced an external remediation improvement plan in April. The plan introduced a new external remediation multidisciplinary team to mirror the Innovation Unit (IU) set up last September. This streamlines communication and processing through dedicated account managers. It also saw a recruitment drive to cut individual caseloads from an average of 25 down to around 10. For new builds, IU decisions overtook the number of new cases received in the period. Across all categories, BSR made 358 gateway 2 decisions, with a 75% approval rate. 65% of all decisions related to London cases. Applications representing 14,928 units were determined, of which 9,499 (64%) were approvals. There are currently 38,775 residential units in live cases. New applications for 13,964 units came in during the period. External remediation approvals up The IU approved 90% of cases – 28 out of 31 – in the period. London saw a 100% approval rate for its 19 case decisions. The regulator said this reflects the extra engagement with applicants. All-time IU approvals now stand at 43, with a median approval time of 22 weeks. The IU is currently managing 131 applications, representing 30,369 units. On external remediation, approval rates rose to 79% over the last 12 weeks, well above the minimum 65% end of year target for 2026. BSR credits operational improvements and intensive work to improve quality of applications. Currently, 16 legacy remediation applications from 2024 remain. A further 10 are on track to be determined in June. This is down from 42 outstanding at the beginning of 2026. BSR said the data show that 2026 applications are progressing faster than before. The average approval time is still 39 weeks in a rolling 12-week period, but BSR said this was “being skewed by our focus on closing out the older 2024/2025 applications”. People still waiting “We continue to see positive improvements in numbers of approvals for both new build and existing building remediation cases, as well as significantly faster decision times,” said acting BSR chief executive Charlie Pugsley. “This includes continued positive results from our Innovation Unit by working closely with applicants to safely resolve complex technical challenges. This positive engagement has seen a growing number of decisions and rising approval rates.” He added: “However, we recognise that people living in other unremediated buildings still want them to be fixed safely, and at pace.”

Experts warn of Building Safety Levy’s ‘unintended consequences’

Images of the month – Wrexham FC, British Library and historic carvings

The Crown Prosecution Service has committed to making the charging decisions before the 10th anniversary of the fire in June 2027. Image: Abdullah Sakr | Dreamstime.com

Met submits Grenfell files to prosecutors after ‘immense’ investigation

A battery energy storage unit at the Lower Thames Crossing site. Image: National Highways

30 zero-emissions machines now working on Lower Thames Crossing

A plant operator using a simulator to improve plant safety. Image: CM Labs

Project of the week: Trinity School Sevenoaks

The Passive Fire Knowledge Group: A different kind of industry collaboration

Experts warn of Building Safety Levy’s ‘unintended consequences’

Images of the month – Wrexham FC, British Library and historic carvings

Met submits Grenfell files to prosecutors after ‘immense’ investigation

30 zero-emissions machines now working on Lower Thames Crossing

Can training simulators improve plant safety?

Construction jobs

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#PPEthatfits - our campaign for inclusive PPE

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Project of the week: Trinity School Sevenoaks

Latest articles in News

The Passive Fire Knowledge Group: A different kind of industry collaboration

Experts warn of Building Safety Levy’s ‘unintended consequences’

Images of the month – Wrexham FC, British Library and historic carvings

Met submits Grenfell files to prosecutors after ‘immense’ investigation

30 zero-emissions machines now working on Lower Thames Crossing

Can training simulators improve plant safety?

Construction jobs

Digital Editions

#PPEthatfits - our campaign for inclusive PPE

Most popular

Podcasts