The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has introduced a new improvement plan aimed at reducing delays to higher-risk building (HRB) remediation works across England, with a focus on streamlining approvals and increasing regulatory capacity.
The plan introduces a series of changes to improve the speed and efficiency of external remediation projects, including the creation of a dedicated multidisciplinary team (MDT) to manage applications.
This team will be supported by account managers to improve communication between applicants and the regulator.
BSR is also expanding its workforce to reduce individual caseloads for regulatory leads from around 25 cases to approximately 10, alongside introducing more flexible approval processes. This includes the use of ‘approval with requirements’, allowing projects to begin while outstanding technical issues are resolved.
Additional guidance and resources will be published to support industry stakeholders navigating the building control process for existing buildings.
BSR Focus on Complex and Legacy Cases
Around 40% of current remediation applications rely on government funding, with many older and more complex cases taking longer to process. According to BSR, delays are being driven by a combination of resource constraints and a backlog of non-compliant submissions.
To address this, the regulator will model the new MDT on its existing Innovation Unit, which has been handling new-build applications since 2025. It will also explore the use of additional building control professionals to support regulatory leads and reduce workload pressures.
BSR is introducing a new consistency process to resolve technical disputes more quickly and is increasing direct engagement with applicants. This includes holding initial meetings for complex projects and encouraging more direct communication to clarify issues earlier in the process.
A prioritisation framework will also be developed to provide greater transparency for applicants on where their project sits within the assessment process.
Common Issues Causing Delays Identified
The regulator has highlighted several recurring issues in submissions that contribute to delays, including:
- Missing evidence of fire performance for cladding systems and materials
- Lack of structural calculations, such as wind loading and load transfer
- Incomplete details on cavity ventilation and moisture control
- Insufficient thermal performance data
Non-technical issues include incomplete design information, unsupported compliance claims, poorly structured documentation, and unclear details around retained combustible materials.
BSR has published initial guidance to address these issues and plans to release further resources to improve submission quality. It is also developing enhanced digital tools to allow applicants to track progress and improve data sharing with organisations such as Homes England.
BSR Target to Reduce Decision Times
The regulator aims to reduce average decision times for remediation applications to less than 12 weeks by December 2026, with a target approval rate of over 65%.
Lord Roe, BSR Board Chair, said: “We continue to accelerate our decision-making for new build applications, speeding up approvals for new build and external remediation projects and increasing the supply of safe new and existing homes through the recent changes we have made to our processes.
“However, we recognise current determination times for remediation cases are falling short of statutory targets. This plan represents a targeted and achievable package of measures to reset the system and clear older legacy remediation cases.
“By doing so and then focussing on more recent applications, we can ensure high-rise residents see essential safety improvements they deserve without unnecessary or further delays.”
Charlie Pugsley, Acting CEO of BSR, added: “As we enter an important new chapter as a standalone regulator, our focus is on strengthening safety, rebuilding trust and supportively collaborating with industry.
“Collectively these measures will ensure current and future remediation applications can proceed as smoothly and quickly as possible.
“By launching a dedicated multidisciplinary team and introducing account managers, we are dramatically increasing our capacity to make faster decisions.
“But speed cannot come at the cost of safety. We will also publish further specific guidance and support to help industry submit higher-quality applications, ensuring thousands of residents can feel safe, and are safe in their high-rise homes.”
