VIDEO | The Building Safety Act: landscape update from the industry
The introduction of the Building Safety Act has added layers of complexity and red-tape to the construction and development process. This mega-roundtable, gathered together by Project Four, discussed the challenges involved with the new legislation and what the industry needs to do moving forward.
A Freedom of Information request submitted in December by Project Four determined that since implementation, the Building Safety Regulator has allowed construction to start on 11 out of 130 higher-risk schemes, classed as seven-storeys or taller – with nine of these from before the new regime came into force.
Faced with the reality of two out of 130 application being approved, Project Four convened a roundtable full of architects, developers, investors, and real estate experts to discuss the challenges faced by the industry.
From delays caused by the slow processing of applications, to the lack of transparency and clarity about what details are required, to the additional costs incurred – the frustration surrounding the process was palpable.
The need for better collaboration between industry and the BSR, as well as suggestions surrounding pre-application meetings, and the need for education around the subject were discussed in detail.
Allan Binns, director at Project Four, said of the progress being made: “We want to see things settling down from the regulator. I’ve worked on 10 Gateway Two applications now, and the approach we’ve taken has been different on every single one, and that’s because of redacted notices and changes to the portal as well – particularly in how we package up information.
“We’ve gone from not being able to have hyphens in file names at the start of all of this, and having to load drawings one at a time, to where we are today, where we can actually use a folder structure to put drawings into Part A, Part B, and create that structured argument.
“So it does feel like ‘the how’ of making a submission is starting to settle down, which I think is a positive…
“I think the overarching parting shot for me will be the education around it. I’m still amazed at how underprepared the industry was. We can look at the regulation, and it’s got issues, but I think, from an education point of view, for the industry, we have a long, long way to go.”
Participants
- Allan Binns, director, Project Four
- Alan Robson, chaiman, Project Four
- Ross Ogilvie, director, Cartwright Pickard
- Paul Hawkins, pre-construction (technical) director, Domis Construction
- James Atkinson, head of development, IQ Student
- Ajay Parag, technical director, Renaker
- Rachel Wood, managing director, Sladen Estates
- Andy Cox, director, Trigon DM
- Liam Roberts, head of design, Vinci Building
- Helen Gribbon, director, Renaissance
- Mark Edwards, development director, Capital & Centric
- Gavin Sorby, managing director, Buttress
- Andrew Irving, director, jmarchitects
- David Jenkinson, senior development, surveyor, Downing
- Lucas Lawrence, company director, Studio Egret West
- Paul Miles, group construction director, Fusion Group
Find out more by watching the video at the top of this page, or on the Place North YouTube channel.
Place North is hosting an all-day conference and workshop on behalf of Project Four on 18 September at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, addressing BSA and all the pros, cons, and opinions surrounding it.
This event will cut through the noise around the building safety act and provide attendees with practical, actionable advice that will allow you to navigate the system more effectively.
