New Government planning reforms could be a game‑changer for self‑builders struggling with delays in gaining building regulations approval.
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has unveiled a fast‑track process to speed up approvals, backed by a 100‑strong recruitment drive.
This shake‑up injects inspectors and engineers straight into the regulator, potentially getting self‑builders building sooner.
Fast-track process puts self‑builders first
The BSR is launching a fast‑track process specifically to accelerate new‑build applications, including self‑builds.
Under this scheme, multi‑disciplinary teams (MDTs) made up of regulatory leads, case officers, inspectors and engineers will be managed directly within the BSR.
These teams will actively support applicants, engaging with self‑builders early to resolve compliance issues quickly instead of simply rejecting plans .
This is a direct response to widespread reports of December delays: only around 15 % of Gateway 2 applications are currently approved on time, with the rest invalidated or stuck in review.
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100+ new inspectors & engineers = shorter queues
Plans for over 100 more staff for the Building Safety Regulator have been announced to reduce the amount of time it takes to get planning permission(Image credit: Getty)
To support the fast‑track rollout, the BSR is adding over 100 staff, including inspectors and engineers.
Unlike past reliance on external firms – where it could take up to a month just to field a multi‑disciplinary team for review – these experts will now be embedded within the regulator.
For self‑builders, this means your Gateway 2 (building control) submissions may hit vastly improved timelines, a cut from months to potentially just weeks.
Alex Norris MP, Minister for Building Safety: “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.”
Structural reform for consistency & local authority alignment
The BSR is being transitioned out of the Health & Safety Executive and embedded under the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) as part of the Government’s latest planning reforms.
This change is part of a broader strategy, including moves toward a single construction regulator, intended to cut through regulatory overlap .
For self‑builders, a more unified regulator means less confusion over who decides what, which could reduce friction and inconsistencies in approvals across local authorities.
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