BSR innovation unit halves new-build approval times but still misses statutory target

Regulator's innovation unit has been handling gateway 2 approvals for new-build higher-risk buildings (HRBs) for 12 months. At the unit's start the median decision time for new-build gateway 2 was 43 weeks and the approval rate was 39%. The latest figures, accurate to 31 August 2026, show the median has fallen to 22 weeks and the approval rate has climbed to 92%.

The improvement shows the unit is processing applications faster and granting more approvals. However the 22-week median remains well above the statutory 12-week decision period that applies to gateway 2. That gap matters for developers, funders and programme managers who rely on timely regulator decisions to sequence construction and financing.

Current workload is substantial and growing. The regulator reports 147 new HRB applications in progress, covering 32,391 units. Across all gateway 2 categories there are 1,654 applications being processed, an increase of 100 since the previous month. The BSR expects numbers to increase further in September, linking the likely rise to the building safety levy coming into effect in October 2026.

To date the BSR has received 346 gateway 3 applications. Most of these are for internal refurbishments, with the remainder split between transitional cases and NHS internal refurbishments. No new-build projects that passed gateway 2 have yet reached gateway 3.

Acting chief executive Charlie Pugsley said the regulator is pleased to see determination times reducing, particularly for new builds handled by the innovation unit, existing remediation projects and key NHS developments. He added that as projects move into the in-build phase the BSR will keep refining systems and processes so safe designs are translated into safe buildings.

• Developers and planners should continue to factor in approval times that remain longer than the statutory 12-week window. Expect median new-build gateway 2 times around 22 weeks for now.
• Projects tied to external remediation can expect improved decisions but should allow for medians closer to 33 weeks.
• The approach and capacity improvements in the innovation unit appear to be delivering faster throughput and higher approval rates, but rising application volumes may add pressure back onto decision times.

The innovation unit has cut gateway 2 median times for new builds roughly in half and sharply increased approval rates. The regulator, though, still does not meet the 12-week statutory requirement, and rising caseloads — potentially driven by the October levy — could affect future performance.