A ‘New Home’ for the Building Safety Regulator (BSR)
As part of its ambition to deliver 1.5 million high-quality, safe homes, the Government has announced a significant change to the structure of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The BSR will become “a new arm’s-length body” of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), transitioning out of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
What is the Building Safety Regulator?
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is an independent body established under the Building Safety Act 2022 and currently operates within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It was created following the Grenfell Tower tragedy and subsequent public inquiry, in response to calls for stronger oversight of high-risk buildings. The BSR is responsible for regulating and overseeing work on buildings such as high-rise apartment blocks, ensuring they meet the relevant safety standards.
Why the change and what does it mean for housing?
This structural shift follows recommendations from both the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and Dame Judith Hackitt’s “Building a Safer Future” report, which recommended a single construction regulator. According to the Government’s announcement, the new arrangement aims to:
- Introduce fresh leadership
- Increase investment and recruitment
- Accelerate planning and approval for new developments
There have been reported delays in the approval of new high-rise homes under the current BSR structure. This reform is intended to streamline the application process for new developments, helping to fast-track approvals and support Labour’s commitment to delivering 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes during this parliamentary term.
Elmhurst Thoughts
Stuart Fairlie, Managing Director at Elmhurst Energy, commented:
“We saw the BSR established following Dame Judith Hackitt’s review and positioned within the HSE. This latest move is an interesting development, taking the BSR outside of the HSE and placing it at arm’s length from MHCLG.
We hope this shift helps ensure that all aspects of building regulations and construction come together to deliver homes and buildings that are not only safe and of high quality, but also energy efficient, properly ventilated, resilient to overheating in our changing climate, and ultimately healthy for all occupants.
We welcome the change and remain committed to supporting both MHCLG and the BSR in their continued evolution.”