Work on schemes can’t start until regulator says jobs comply with new safety standards
Piling contractors have said more needs to be done to tackle the delays blighting high-rise work caused by safety delays, warning they were leading to lay-offs and investment decisions being deferred.
New figures from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) show that more than 90 higher-risk buildings—defined as having seven storeys or being above 18m in height—are currently on hold pending design approval.
Under the Building Safety Act’s Gateway 2 checks, construction cannot start until the BSR confirms that the design complies with all relevant building regulations and safety standards. Ninety-two new higher-risk buildings are on hold—79 are under review, and 13 have stalled because further information has been requested about the project. The figures also show that work on 641 existing higher-risk buildings is on hold.
However, the Federation of Piling Specialists said the hold-ups were becoming critical. It said, “The current approval process is proving unsustainable. Many FPS members are now forced to consider reducing staff numbers and scaling back investment.
“These delays, which extend far beyond the anticipated 12-week timeline, are placing severe strain on the geotechnical and wider construction sectors, particularly affecting high-rise, commercial and residential developments. “Since introducing the new regulatory framework in April 2024, only a limited number of new projects have received approval, leaving FPS members frustrated by prolonged delays in design finalisation and a lack of incoming work.”