Over 800 High-Rise Resi Jobs Stalled by Safety Regulator
Published
31st January • 2025
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Published
31st January • 2025
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Construction Enquirer has reported that over 800 high-rise residential projects, both new-builds and retrofits, are currently navigating challenges related to Building Safety Regulator (BSR) design checks. This has clearly created a bottleneck in approvals and there is growing momentum within the industry calling for the HSE to address these issues and streamline the process for the future.
A recent FOI request highlighted that only a relatively small percentage of applications have successfully passed Gateway 2 approvals so far, including projects supported by Wintech. This reflects an opportunity for collective improvement to better align with the Government’s ambitious housing targets. The industry is already identifying solutions, with developers, supported by the Fire Industry Association, advocating for reforms such as clearer submission requirements, better communication channels, and a phased design submission process.
Although delays have posed challenges, with some approvals taking over 40 weeks compared to the quoted 12-week timeframe, there is a shared commitment across stakeholders to prioritise safety without compromising on efficiency. Collaborative efforts, something that the Wintech team support, are essential to unlock stalled projects, reduce costs, and support developers in delivering vital housing stock.
This period of change is an opportunity for the industry to evolve, with a balance between robust safety standards and streamlined processes paving the way for growth. How can we continue to drive innovation and collaboration to keep these critical projects on track?