Building Safety Regulator clears 18,000-plus residential units at Gateway 2

Over the last 12 weeks, the BSR made 340 Building Control decisions across all higher-risk building (HRB) categories, with an overall national approval rate of 84% (287 cases). That equates to 18,029 residential units.

For new HRBs and conversions, the approval rate (not including invalidations and withdrawals) has risen to 92% with a median approval time of 22 weeks for 9,362 units. In London, approvals stood at 90% with a 23-week median approval time for 4,477 units.

Existing building remediation approvals stood at 89%, significantly exceeding the BSR’s annual target of 65% and equating to 8,667 units. In London, approvals stood at 96% (3,936 units).

Approvals for National Health Service (NHS) applications reached 82% nationally, with 18 approvals from 22 decisions. London saw seven projects approved from nine determinations (78%).

The dedicated Innovation Unit details a current approval rate of 92% (rolling 12-week national average) and a current median determination time of 22 weeks for non-complex cases.

From 1 September, the BSR has eased approval steps for fibre optic cabling and rooftop mast installations, while keeping all core safety and compliance standards in force.

New-build, conversion and complex projects

The BSR’s Innovation Unit has accelerated the assessment of applications for new high-rise residential buildings and major conversions. Over the latest 12-week period, the BSR made 50 decisions on new-build projects, approving 92% of applications. These approved schemes represent 9,362 new residential units.

For comparison, in the 12 weeks to August 2025, the median approval time was 43 weeks and the approval rate stood at 39%.

Most new-build activity continues to take place in London, which accounted for 31 of the 50 national decisions.

The BSR approved 28 of these 31 projects in London, representing a regional approval rate of 90% and unlocking 4,477 residential units. The median determination time in London was 23 weeks for non-complex cases.

London currently represents 65% of all in-progress new-build applications and 61% of the total residential units under active assessment. Nationally, the BSR is managing 147 live new-build and conversion applications representing 32,691 individual units.

In order to manage resources efficiently, the BSR tracks highly complex designs separately. Nationally, there are 33 live complex cases under active management, with a median determination time of 33 weeks. London is managing 23 of these complex proposals, with a median determination time of 32 weeks.

The single remaining long-term legacy case has also been closed. This and other cases originally submitted under the previous regime faced significant technical challenges and have been managed as complex cases since February.

The number of new builds that have commenced work has grown to 126 projects. The BSR’s growing inspection programme has uncovered a small number of examples of where building work hasn’t conformed with agreed designs and required some remedial work. The BSR will monitor this closely and adopt a “robust position where appropriate” to help ensure that safe designs are translated into safe buildings.

Existing building remediation

Targeted operational measures under the BSR’s External Remediation Plan, introduced in April 2026, have driven improvements in existing building remediation.

The BSR determined 118 remediation applications over the 12-week rolling period, approving 105 projects (an 89% national approval rate) representing 8,667 residential units. In London, the regional remediation approval rate reached 96%.

The BSR has also reduced outstanding legacy applications in the system. The volume of remediation cases dating from 2024 has fallen from 42 at the start of the year to 12.

These older and more complex applications had an overall rolling 12-week median determination time of 33 weeks as teams worked to resolve historic design and safety issues.

Newer remediation applications submitted during 2026 are progressing through the system more quickly due to early design collaboration. The BSR is currently managing 327 active remediation cases nationally, representing a total of 28,274 residential units.

Healthcare facilities

Building Control applications for NHS healthcare facilities, including hospital maintenance, expansions and structural upgrades, are tracked as a distinct regulatory category to reflect their national importance.

Over the rolling 12-week period, the BSR made 22 determinations on NHS applications, approving 18 for an 82% national approval rate and a median determination time of 22 weeks. The BSR’s specialist healthcare teams work with NHS Trusts to resolve design complexities early on in the process.

For NHS applications submitted in 2026, the median determination time has fallen to 13 weeks, with some recent projects securing approval within the statutory eight-week timeline. London accounted for a significant share of healthcare upgrades, achieving a 78% NHS approval rate with seven projects approved from nine determinations. The median determination time in the capital was 33 weeks, reflecting the complexity of urban hospital sites.

Nationally, the BSR is managing 32 active NHS Building Control cases.

Early Gateway 3 indicators

Category A and B internal refurbishments accounted for 143 decisions over the last 12 weeks, representing 43% of all Gateway 2 decisions. These applications include all internal refurbishment works except for NHS projects.

The BSR achieved a 78% approval rate with a median determination time of 32 weeks. For refurbishment applications submitted in 2026, the median determination time has dropped by 50% to 16 weeks. The BSR is currently overseeing 1,082 active cases for internal refurbishment works.

While no new-build projects have yet transitioned to final occupation certificate assessments, a significant volume of internal refurbishments has entered the final regulatory stage. Of the 346 Gateway 3 applications received, 260 are internal refurbishments with most of the remainder being transitional cases (45) and NHS internal refurbishments (23).

Over the last 12 weeks, the BSR determined 16 Gateway 3 applications, achieving an 88% approval rate with a median determination time of 20 weeks. The quickest approval was completed in seven weeks.

Active in-progress cases at Gateway 3 currently stand at 105 for internal works, 15 for NHS works and eight for external remediation. There are currently no active Gateway 3 cases for new-build developments that have been through the Gateway 2 assessment.

In order to maintain regulatory oversight of legacy developments, the BSR is also managing 66 transitional Building Control cases at Gateway 2. These represent projects that reverted to the regulator after their original private Building Control providers ceased trading.

Live major change requests

To manage design modifications safely during construction, the BSR is processing 184 live major change requests made up of new HRBs and conversions (78 major change requests), external remediation (11), HRB internal works (67), NHS applications (25) and transitional cases (3).

These reviews ensure that post-approval modifications undergo thorough safety assessments. Over the last 12 weeks, the regulator closed 123 major change requests. For new-build developments, the median time to close a major change request is seven weeks (ie one week over the statutory target).

To support the sheer volume of building safety decisions, the BSR has expanded its workforce. The current regulatory resource profile comprises 177 internal BSR core staff members working alongside a network of 508 external technical specialists.

Of the 508 individuals sourced or seconded from external organisations, 64 are integrated into the BSR’s Innovation Unit or external remediation teams (36 registered building inspectors, eight Fire and Rescue Service professionals and 20 structural engineers) to accelerate decision times.

In order to meet projected demand, the BSR is also scaling its integrated technical capacity over the coming months.

New telecoms building work arrangements

From 1 September, new telecoms dispensations came into effect for certain building work associated with mobile masts and fibre optic cabling in higher-risk buildings. The changes mean that eligible telecoms work can be carried out without prior notification to – or approval from – the BSR before work starts.

For fibre optic cabling projects, duty holders will be required to submit a notification to the BSR after the work has been completed, while telecoms mast installations on rooftops will require a completion certificate application.

New guidance and application routes are forthcoming. Organisations undertaking relevant work should ensure they retain all required building and safety information to support any subsequent notification or application processes. More information about the consultation held earlier this year can be found at Improving proportionality and safety outcomes in building control: telecommunications work – GOV.UK

Driving momentum in building safety

Charlie Pugsley, acting CEO of the BSR, said: “Our latest performance figures show that we are successfully driving momentum in Building Control assessments and approvals for more than 18,000 residential units.”

Pugsley continued: “Overall Gateway 2 approvals have reached 84% with new HRBs currently tracking at 92%, while remediation projects are moving through the system much faster, achieving an 89% national approval rate. This progress is a direct result of our expanded technical workforce and closer and earlier collaboration with applicants.”

Further, Pugsley noted: “While we are pleased to see determination times reducing, particularly so for new builds under our Innovation Unit, existing remediation projects and key NHS developments, we remain steadfast in our core mission. As buildings progress to Gateway 3, we continue to enhance and refine systems and processes to ensure that safe designs are translated into safe buildings.”

Pugsley concluded: “As we continue to streamline our processes and introduce proportionate Building Control updates, such as the recent telecommunications measures, the safety of residents and our communities remains at the heart of what we do. The strict duty holder, functional and competence requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Building Regulations remain fully in force to protect the public.”