Building Safety Regulator reports increased Gateway 2 approvals

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The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has published its latest Gateway 2 update, showing increased approval rates, higher volumes of determinations and continued progress in processing both new build and remediation applications across higher-risk residential developments.

The update covers a 12-week rolling period to 1 May 2026 and includes data from Gateway 2 submissions, Innovation Unit activity and external remediation cases under review.

Gateway 2 approvals and application volumes increase

Across all categories, the BSR made 323 Gateway 2 decisions in the reporting period, with an overall approval rate of 71%. A majority of decisions related to London-based projects, accounting for 62% of all determinations.

During the period, applications representing 17,626 residential units were received, while 17,046 units were determined. Of those, 12,229 were approved.

The regulator also reports that 36,984 residential units are currently live in active cases.

New applications continue to move through the system, with ongoing processing of both new build and remediation schemes.

The Innovation Unit (IU), which deals with more complex Gateway 2 applications, made 33 decisions in the 12-week period, with 24 approvals, a 73% approval rate. Of these, 14 approvals were for London projects, reflecting a 100% approval rate in the capital during the period.

All-time Innovation Unit approvals now stand at 33, with a median approval time of 22 weeks. The unit is currently managing 143 live applications, covering approximately 27,900 residential units.

The BSR said it continues to work with industry to improve consistency and reduce the number of complex cases entering the system.

External remediation caseload reduces

Following the introduction of the External Remediation Improvement Plan, the number of legacy remediation applications has reduced from 42 at the start of 2026 to 20 remaining cases. A further 12 applications are expected to be determined by mid-May.

The regulator reports that remediation approval rates are approaching its 65% minimum target for 2026, supported by operational changes and updated guidance for applicants.

Average approval times across remediation cases stand at 25 weeks, reflecting the processing of older applications submitted in 2024 and 2025.

London continues to represent the largest share of Gateway 2 activity. Over the past 12 weeks, 62% of all decisions were for projects in the capital. During the period, 383 applications were closed in London, with 437 new applications received.

The Innovation Unit workload also remains concentrated in London, with 64% of live applications based in the capital, representing 57% of the residential units currently under review.

Batch processing reduces early assessment times

The BSR’s batching system, used for new build, remediation and refurbishment cases, is returning early assessments in a median time of four weeks.

So far, 254 new build cases have been issued through batching, with 43 decisions made from 87 returned cases. Remediation batching has seen 408 cases issued, with 33 decisions made from 140 returned. Refurbishment cases total 758 issued, with 82 decisions made from 321 returned.

The regulator said batching is helping to accelerate early-stage assessment, with full decision timelines expected to stabilise as more applications progress through the system.

The number of long-term complex cases has been reduced to eight, with dedicated account management in place to support resolution.

A further 43 transitional cases are being handled following the closure of Assent Building Control in late 2025.

BSR highlights faster decision-making but stresses safety remains priority

Charlie Pugsley, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Building Safety Regulator, said: “We are continuing to see positive improvements in the number of approvals for both new build and existing building remediation cases, as well as significantly faster decision times.

“This includes positive results from our Innovation Unit from working closely with applicants to resolve complex technical challenges and then seeing a growing number of decisions and rising approval rates.

“We are also making important improvements following the recent introduction of our external remediation improvement plan. Twelve of the remaining 20 legacy applications received in 2024 are set to have decisions made by mid-May, which will see this cohort of applications reduced to single figures.

“Even more encouraging is the fact that our remediation approval rates are already approaching our minimum 65% target for the year, although we are not being complacent and recognise that people living in unremediated buildings want them to be fixed, safely and at pace.

“We are working to accelerate our assessments, decisions and approvals, ensuring industry can construct safe buildings so that thousands of residents see the essential safety improvements they deserve. But we remain steadfastly committed to ensuring that accelerated decision-making must never come at the cost of building