Govt intervenes to fix broken building safety approvals system
Reforms aimed at speeding up the lengthy gateway process that has prevented thousands of high-rise homes starting on site have been announced.
The government has today unveiled a package of interventions to reduce approval times for buildings deemed high risk under the Building Safety Act – those taller than 18 metres or seven storeys.
A new “fast track process” will be introduced to enhance the review of new-build applications, unblock delays, and boost sector confidence, according to the government.
The Health and Safety Executive is also being stripped of responsibility for the Building Safety Regulator.
An arms-length body that sits within the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, will be set up to run it.
In the meantime, a shadow board has been established to manage the BSR through its transition from HSE to MHCLG.
The board will be chaired by Andy Roe, the former commissioner of London Fire Brigade. Charlie Pugsley, the current deputy commissioner of LFB, will be the board’s chief executive.
Alex Norris, minister for building safety, said: “The establishment of the Building Safety Regulator has been fundamental to centralising safety in the construction process and it’s time to take the next steps to build on that precedent and create a system that works for the sector whilst keeping residents and their safety at the heart of the process.
“That’s why we’re announcing a package of reforms to the BSR today to enhance operations, reduce delays, and unlock the homes this country desperately needs – delivering on our Plan for Change.”
A statement from the Building Safety Regulator, said: “It was always possible once the regulator was established it would move out of HSE. Protecting residents, making sure there is never another tragedy like Grenfell, has been our priority throughout this process. Setting up a new regulator has been complex, and huge progress has been made in a short time. The construction industry must meet standards that will keep residents safe in high-rise buildings. We will do all we can to help the transition run smoothly.”
Great. Just need to wait two years for this to get set up, then another year for transition, and then two more years for them to work through the backlog. Before we start all over again.
The government are great at coming up with paperwork that needs to be completed in order to run a bath. Less so at operating one.
By John
The shadow board is to be run by two people from the LFB…?!
Would this be the same LFB that dogmatically stuck with telling people to stay-put for two hours when the fire had spread up one side of the building within 30 minutes of it starting? It was clear to everyone (other than the incident commander it seems) that when the fire spread from the original flat that an evacuation order was needed immediately.
The LFB should be not be involved with any agency for building safety (even if just a transitional board to oversee from HSE to MHCLG) for a long time to come. They got off too lightly as part of the Hackitt Review.
By GQ
Can’t they do the same for the general planning process as the speed some local authorities work at would embarrass a tortoise. Also some developers get bogged down in so much paperwork and meeting conditions they give up, I know there are processes and regulations to met but sometimes you think officers go too far.
By Anonymous
Let’s hope they can move quickly to restore confidence in the sector!
By Chris Marrow
I feel so much safer already.
By Anonymous
So some 7 years on from Grenfell and a promise to sort the building industry out made by our “political leaders” we set up another transitional body to kick the can down the road again.
The challenge is simple “adequately staff the body” – this cannot be done due to there being no staff suitably trained staff available, “have clarity in the required outcome” – this cannot be achieved as there is no consistent approach and “ensure builders have the site supervision to ensure what should be built is built”.
So another big announcement with no substance or path to enable delivery.
By Steve5839