Inquiry launched into Building Safety Regulator delays

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has issued a call for evidence for its short inquiry into the Building Safety Regulator.

The inquiry will focus on reports of delays to approvals by the regulator for new high-rise buildings and maintenance of existing buildings.

Gateway 2 approvals, which should be taking 12 weeks for new builds and eight weeks for refurbishments, are currently taking double that time, sometimes up to 40 to 48 weeks.

Peers are calling for evidence from building industry specialists, housing associations, architects, resident groups, safety experts, local authorities and other relevant groups.

The inquiry will hold its first evidence session on 24 June, where it will hear from developers and housing associations.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton, chair of the Industry and Regulators Committee, said: “The safety of residents in higher-risk buildings was at the heart of the Building Safety Regulator being set up in 2022. The committee wants to hear from all stakeholders to find out if the BSR has the skills and resources required to ensure the safety of all buildings and their residents in the process of approving applications for high-rise buildings.

“This is crucial if the government is going to achieve its manifesto target of building 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament.”

Interested parties can submit evidence until 31 August through the Committee’s website.