{"id":535889,"date":"2026-01-19T11:20:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T11:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/?p=535889"},"modified":"2026-01-19T11:20:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T11:20:21","slug":"bsr-progress-is-real-but-staged-approvals-need-industry-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/sections\/long-reads\/opinion\/bsr-progress-is-real-but-staged-approvals-need-industry-confidence-19-01-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"BSR progress is real but staged approvals need industry confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Max Meadows is managing director of construction safety consultancy Project Four<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Six months ago, many in the industry would have described their experience of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as challenging at best. Today, the picture feels more balanced.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe challenge for the next phase is turning it into a predictable, scalable system\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From our own perspective, engagement with the BSR has improved significantly. Having worked closely with the regulator across a range of higher-risk building (HRB) schemes, we now have 20 gateway two approvals in place, all on large-scale HRB developments. <\/span><\/p>\n

That level of throughput simply wasn\u2019t realistic earlier in the year, and it reflects a system that, while still under pressure, is becoming more navigable.<\/span><\/p>\n

A key learning for us has been that gateway success is fundamentally a technical exercise. Early assumptions that gateway two was primarily an administrative hurdle have proven very wide of the mark. What\u2019s become clear is that schemes only move at pace when the project team has sufficient technical depth to answer the regulator\u2019s questions with confidence and consistency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the past two years, we\u2019ve deliberately strengthened our internal capability, bringing together class three building-regulations consultants, experienced design managers and specialists who understand how design risk, buildability and compliance intersect. That blend has been critical.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gateway two submissions demand clarity of intent, robust coordination and a level of design maturity that many projects historically deferred until later stages. Under the 2022 Building Safety Act, that approach simply doesn\u2019t work.<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, the regulator is also evolving. BSR chair Andy Roe\u2019s recent comments signal a more pragmatic direction of travel, particularly around what the regulator should and shouldn\u2019t be assessing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Refocusing regulation<\/h3>\n

The original legislation cast a very wide net, capturing not just new-build and major refurbishment, but also a host of routine works on occupied HRBs \u2013 everything from replacing fire doors to installing communal alarm systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

The proposal to remove smaller, lower-risk works from the gateway process is a sensible one. It allows regulatory focus to sit where it belongs: on complex, high-risk activity that genuinely affects life safety. For contractors and clients, it should also reduce unnecessary friction and help free up capacity on all sides.<\/span><\/p>\n

Equally interesting is the discussion around staged gateway applications. <\/span>The BSR and Construction Leadership Council <\/span><\/a> have recently published guidance <\/span>on submitting staged applications for HRBs at gateway two.<\/span><\/p>\n

In principle, the discussion feels like a logical evolution of the process, particularly for large, complex schemes where full design certainty across every package isn\u2019t always achievable at a single point in time. Being able to secure partial approvals could help maintain momentum and reduce programme risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

In practice, however, industry behaviour will be key. What we are currently seeing is a reluctance from developers to commit to major procurement or commence subsequent stages of work without full BSR sign-off. Given the commercial exposure involved, that caution is understandable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Until staged approvals carry the same level of confidence and certainty as a full gateway two approval, many clients may continue to wait \u2013 potentially limiting the benefit this change is intended to unlock.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is where confidence, consistency and transparency from the regulator will matter most. As more precedents are set and clearer guidance emerges, appetite for staged approaches may well grow. For now, it remains an area to watch closely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, the direction feels positive. The BSR is listening, adapting and refining its approach, while the industry is learning what \u201cgood\u201d looks like under the new regime. The past six months have shown that gateway two can work when teams are properly resourced, technically strong and engaged early.<\/span><\/p>\n

The challenge for the next phase is turning these individual successes into a predictable, scalable system \u2013 one that protects residents, supports delivery and gives the industry the confidence it needs to keep building.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Max Meadows is managing director of construction safety consultancy Project Four Six months ago, many in the industry would have described their experience of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as challenging at best. Today, the picture feels more balanced. \u201cThe challenge for the next phase is turning it into a predictable, scalable system\u201d From our …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":535608,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79552,565,567],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-535889","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-building-safety","category-government","category-opinion"],"yoast_head":"\nBSR progress is real but staged approvals need industry confidence | Construction News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Max Meadows is managing director of construction safety consultancy Project Four Six months ago, many in the industry would have described their\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" 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