30/06/2025
Fast track reforms to the building safety regulator – what we need to keep in mind
Written By: enevo
Estimated Time: 4 mins
Building Safety
by Jason Foster – Director, enevo Building Safety
Anyone navigating the challenges of Gateway 2 approvals recently will know how much pressure the system’s been under. Backlogs, unclear timeframes, and delays to site starts have been frequently listed frustrations, but things are changing gradually.
On 30 June 2025, the UK Government announced a series of reforms to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) designed to ease delays and accelerate progress on new homes. A new Fast Track Process aimed at expediting newbuild application reviews, particularly for higher-risk buildings.
What does this mean in practice for contractors and developers? And how can you benefit from this?
What’s changing?
The reforms introduce three main changes.
• A dedicated Fast Track Process within the BSR, bringing in new inspectors and engineers with a view to clearing new build and remediation application backlogs.
• Leadership changes. Andy Roe (former Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade) becomes non-executive Chair of the BSR board, with a new CEO appointed to lead operational reform.
• More than 100 new staff to boost capacity and improve review timelines.
The aspiration being to reduce approval delays and support delivery of 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes, while keeping resident safety at the heart of everything.
You can read the full government release here: gov.uk/news/reforms-to-building-safety-regulator-to-accelerate-housebuilding
What Fast Track DOESN’T mean
As we’ve outline in previous articles – new reform brings in more scrutiny. The Fast Track developments don’t relent on this scrutiny or rigour in BSR expectations.
In our previous article, “Submission Strategies – Navigating Gateway 2 Approvals” (https://enevo.co.uk/gateway-2-submission-strategies-bsr-approvals/), we outlined how rejections are often down to incomplete or disconnected submissions, especially around fire safety (Part B) and structure (Part A). Those requirements haven’t changed.
The BSR’s own April 2025 updates emphasised the shift from “one-off submission” to ongoing oversight with clearer expectations around dutyholder competence, information quality, and risk ownership. (See our article: BSR Guidance Changes – What You Need to Know)
In short, increased speed is only helpful when the basis for your submission is solid.
How to prepare for fast track success
Here’s what we recommend to clients who want to make the most of the developments relating to the Fast Track Process.
- Start early. Involve compliance and safety experts during RIBA Stages 1 to 3. Gateway 2 submissions need to be joined-up, evidence-based, and narrative-led.
- Think like a regulator. What is the BSR be looking for? Demonstrable safety strategies, documented decisions, validated assumptions, and cross-referenced documentation. The story needs to make sense and tie together.
- Maintain the golden thread. Treat and plan for the Completion Certificate as a compliance milestone, not a project afterthought. Track and document compliance from day one, to meet end-stage scrutiny.
- Manage the relationship. Assign a team member to own communication with the BSR. Don’t wait for rejections, proactively engage early via pre-app discussions and stress-test your approach.
How enevo can help
enevo’s Building Safety team supports clients through every stage of their higher-risk building projects, from early design reviews and Gateway 2 planning through to remediation, certification, and final approvals.
Our specialist consultants can guide you through:
- Gateway submission preparation
- BSR engagement and application management
- Compliance audits and documentation reviews
- Design-stage strategy support and risk mapping
- Final certification and golden thread alignment
Explore our full Building Regulations Consultancy and BRPD services here: https://enevo.co.uk/expertise-category/building-regulations-consultancy/
The Fast Track reforms are a welcome signal that the BSR is listening to industry concerns. But faster processing only really helps those who are ready to provide the ingredients needed for successful submission. The challenge (and opportunity) for us all lies in raising the bar in building documentation, coordination of information and team input, and maintaining a compliance mindset.
If you’re planning a Gateway 2 submission or grappling with regulatory complexity on your project, we’re here to help you get it right first time.
