Unpacking the ongoing impact of the Building Safety Act 

Reflections from enevo’s roundtable alongside UKREiiF 2026

enevo convened a cross‑industry roundtable to examine how the Building Safety Act (BSA) continues to reshape the built environment. The discussion brought together architects, developers, contractors, cost consultants and building safety specialists – each grappling with the same challenge: how to deliver safe, compliant buildings in a landscape that is still evolving. Special thanks to the experts around the table, especially McLaren Construction for providing excellent facilities at Wizu Workspace. Expert panel:

• Ged Couser – Architect Principal, BDP (host)

• Jason Foster – Director – Building Safety, enevo

• Steven Drake – Regional Design Manager, Mclaren Group

• Joshua Hill – Commercial Director, Everlast Group

• Simon Latson – Head of Building Consultancy – Living, JLL

• Belinda Long – Senior Associate, Rider Levitt Bucknall

• Mark Edwards – Development Director, Capital&Centric

A fundamental shift in how projects are planned and delivered

Every organisation around the table described the same pivot. Decision‑making is no longer programme‑first – it’s competence‑first, evidence‑first, accountability‑first. The Act has forced businesses to overhaul internal processes, retrain teams, and rethink how they collaborate.  For a lot of businesses, the biggest change has been cultural. The industry is moving away from “we’ll sort it on site” and towards structured, documented, early‑stage coordination.

Early appointments are now essential, not optional

One message came through loud and clear: the earlier the right expertise is engaged, the smoother the project runs. Principal designers, building control specialists, fire engineers and contractors all stressed that meaningful influence only happens when they’re brought in at RIBA Stage 2–3.

Late appointments leave teams trying to retrofit compliance into designs that are already fixed, which is a costly and risky position for everyone. This mirrors enevo’s own experience. Our BRPD and building safety teams are increasingly embedded from the outset, helping clients de‑risk schemes long before Gateway 2.

Gateway 2: improving, but still demanding

The early bottlenecks are easing. Some participants reported approvals in as little as 13 weeks, which is a significant improvement on the nine‑month delays seen in 2023–24  however, the process remains resource‑intensive. Conditional approvals, design gaps and inconsistent supply‑chain information continue to create friction. Developers also highlighted the funding challenge: lenders want certainty, but Gateway 2 requires significant design investment before finance is secured.

Developers are recalibrating their appetite for HRBs

A notable trend emerged: many developers have deliberately avoided HRBs over the past 18 months, opting for mid‑rise schemes to reduce exposure to uncertainty. Others are now returning to HRBs as their internal processes mature and the regulatory environment stabilises. The consensus? The market will rebalance – but only once Gateway processes become predictable and the supply chain is fully aligned.

Gateway 3: the next major pressure point

While Gateway 2 has dominated industry attention, the group agreed that Gateway 3 poses the greater long‑term risk. Delays to occupation can create significant financial strain, particularly for BTR and forward‑funded schemes. The key to avoiding stalled completions will be:

• a robust golden thread

• consistent site‑based quality assurance

• early testing and commissioning

• and proactive engagement with the BSR throughout construction

The upside: better buildings, better outcomes

Despite the challenges, the tone was optimistic. The Act is already driving higher standards, more rigorous design, and better‑performing buildings. As one participant noted, residents will ultimately benefit from safer homes, fewer defects and buildings that stand the test of time.

What the next five years could look like

The roundtable’s shared vision for a mature BSA landscape included:

• predictable Gateway timelines

• early appointments as standard practice

• a fully competent supply chain

• clearer guidance and consistent expectations

• and a sector‑wide culture of shared responsibility

The BSA has demanded rapid change – but it is also raising the bar for quality, safety and professionalism across the built environment.