Building Safety Regulator Reform: Fast Track Process and What’s Next

What’s Changing?

On June 30, 2025, the government unveiled sweeping reforms to the Building Safety Regulator role. Previously managed by the Health and Safety Executive, the regulator is set to move under a new independent board within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This bold step responds to ongoing issues—especially the significant backlog of Gateway 2 applications, which have routinely taken double their intended time to process.

The shake-up comes as a direct response to the Grenfell Inquiry recommendations and aims to create a unified, accountable regulatory body for the entire construction sector. The reform strengthens the regulator’s powers for investigating serious safety incidents, with plans to establish a dedicated investigation arm for further transparency and accountability.

Spotlight on the Fast Track Process

Central to these changes is the launch of a ‘fast track process’ for new build and remediation applications. The new Building Safety Regulator will be managed by a multi-disciplinary team—bringing together regulatory leads, case officers, building inspectors, and specialist engineers. This team will proactively connect with applicants to resolve issues quickly, ensuring designs meet regulations efficiently—no more endless back-and-forth or compliance negotiation.

To boost capacity, the government aims to recruit over 100 new staff, significantly increasing operational efficiency. Enhanced industry guidance will be published to help developers strengthen their applications and minimize delays. The ultimate goal? Unblock the application backlog and accelerate progress towards the government’s ambitious target of 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes.

Driving Efficiency: Digital Tools & AI

The reforms aren’t limited to just more people—modern digital tools and AI-assisted planning systems will streamline submissions, reduce human error, and provide real-time guidance. The new approach will assess developers systemically, moving beyond piecemeal evaluations of individual buildings.

What Happens Now?

While these reforms are being put in place, the current Gateway process continues unchanged. The focus remains on maintaining rigorous safety standards while eliminating unnecessary administrative bottlenecks. Operational improvements are designed to support, not undermine, the high bar set for building safety.

Upcoming Changes to Watch

Looking ahead, two major updates are on the horizon:

• Building Safety Levy: Coming this autumn, most new residential buildings needing control approval will face a new levy, raising funds for remediation. Exemptions are set for some categories like affordable homes, NHS facilities, and small developments (details pending).

• Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (from 2026): Building managers will soon be required to develop evacuation plans for residents with mobility or other needs—fulfilling a key Grenfell Inquiry recommendation.

The government’s overhaul sets the stage for a safer, more responsive construction environment. With faster processing times, improved regulatory oversight, and new digital solutions, the pathway to delivering 1.5 million quality homes looks clearer than ever.