building control Archives - Construction Management

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.”

De-gumming BSR Gateway 2: Approvals rise to 75%, 9,499 housing units approved

Results show higher approval rates across all categories including existing building safety projects.

Building Control is facing a recruitment and retention challenge. Image: Dreamstime

Mind the gap: the building control recruitment crisis facing UK local authorities

Local authority building control teams are facing a perfect storm of rising demand, tighter regulation and a shrinking talent pool. Nicky Roger explores how the profession is meeting recruitment and retention challenges

News

Building control report proposes changes to ‘broken system’

The Building Control Independent Panel (BCIP) has published its report on the future of the building control system in England.

Opinion

‘Instead of wanting modular workers, train apprentices the traditional way’

A selection of readers’ comments about news and issues in the industry from across the CIOB community and social media.

Legal

What happens if your registered building control approver becomes insolvent?

Earlier in the week the industry was shaken following the collapse of Assent, one of the UK’s largest building control firms. Tim Hillier and Olivia Jenkins explain the options available after a building control body ceases trading.

Higher risk buildings | image: Dreamstime

Partner Content

How tech can standardise 55% of your Gateway 2 submissions

With building control approvals at a record high, platforms like Procore can help teams standardise and automate some of the most onerous tasks in the Gateway 2 submissions. Brett King explains how.

Building miniatures on real estate market showing new blocks and houses in a new city (selective focus on the left buildings) - Angus Dawson Hackitt's recent suggestion of introducing a new 'Gateway 2.5' step in the building control process for new higher-risk buildings.

Legal

‘Gateway 2.5’: should we expect a new step in the building control process?

As industry and the Building Safety Regulator trade blows over the reasons for delays in Gateway 2 approvals for new higher-risk buildings, does Dame Judith Hackitt’s reference to a ‘Gateway 2.5’ reveal how government might try and break the logjam? Angus Dawson examines this issue.

A female building inspector with a white hard hat and a high-vis jacket looking at a clipboard.

News

Building control companies sanctioned after code of conduct breaches

The Building Safety Regulator has sanctioned two building control companies following minor breaches of the code of conduct for approved inspectors.

News

LABC responds to Grenfell Inquiry’s criticism

The Local Authority Building Control (LABC) has responded to the Grenfell Inquiry’s final report published yesterday (4 September).

A building controller inspecting a building under construction

News

90% of Building Control professionals are now registered

A majority of building control professionals have now completed registration with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) after the 6 July extended deadline.

View of a high-rise building from below against a blue sky.

News

BSR meets CLC after receiving ‘unsuitable’ Building Control applications

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) have met to discuss industry concerns relating to Building Control applications.

Building control inspector (image: Dreamstime)

News

Building Control: HSE issues conflict of interest guidance

The Health and Safety Executive has updated its guidance on registered building inspectors to include details about what constitutes a conflict of interest.

News

Building Control: competence assessment deadline extended

The Building Safety Regulator has extended the deadline for registration of Building Control inspectors until 6 July.

People

Skills academy extended for trainee building inspectors

The LABC Academy will welcome 30 new trainee building control surveyors

News

Building Control functions may ‘cease’ in councils from 6 April, LABC warns

Local authorities may stop performing building control responsibilities after the 6th of April due to a lack of registered professionals, LABC’s chief executive has warned.

News

Fewer than 40% of building control surveyors have begun BSR registration

Just over 1,500 building control surveyors have begun the process of registering with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as of 31 January, according to official figures.

People

LABC Academy launched to support building control skills

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) has launched a new academy to support a pipeline of talent into public service building control

News

HSE consults on building control professionals’ register

The HSE has launched a consultation on plans to require all building control professionals to register with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).