A House of Lords (HoL) committee has issued a call for evidence into the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) following reports of delays to approvals for new high-rise buildings and maintenance of existing properties, with feedback already coming in.
The Industry and Regulators’ Committee is seeking evidence from building sector specialists, housing associations, architects, resident groups, safety experts, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
Designed and set up in 2022 to ensure the safety of residents in higher-risk buildings in response to the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, the inquiry will look into the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) impact on the industry.
Geoff Wilkinson, managing director of Wilkinson Construction Consultants, said there were lots of positives to the new system but also a few drawbacks.
He said: “The introduction of the competence requirements and registration of registered building inspectors has laid bare the fact that there are relatively few registered building inspectors with the skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours to oversee complex projects and higher rise buildings.
“Further a large proportion of those who are qualified work outside of the public sector. By excluding those in SME from dealing with higher rise buildings they have created a huge resource issue for themselves.”
He added the reality was without changes to the current system the entire process could “fall apart”.
While director at LSL Partners, a real estate investment company, Christopher Worrall called it a “bureaucratic nightmare”.
“Currently, the very system designed to make buildings safer is making them non-existent,” he said.
“True safety reform means not just preventing tragedy, but enabling delivery. And it is not just homes at stake, but jobs, innovation, and growth.”
He called for a “properly resourced” regulator, clear guidance, and a gateway process that “is firm but functional”.
Its first hearing with developers and housing associations is set to take place next week.
Points to be raised include whether the BSR has improved the safety of buildings and the extent in which delays in approvals for high-rise buildings are down to the regulatory processes used by the BSR.
The final deadline for evidence is 31 August 2025.
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