The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released new data on the number of building control applications received by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) between October 2023 and March 2025
Published on 9 July 2025, it is the first comprehensive set of management information data for the building control function for higher-risk buildings (HRBs) in England.
Covering the number of building control applications received, determination times, decision outcomes, and performance, the transparency data shows that as of 21 March 2025, the number of open applications was 1,019.
50% of existing building applications and 45% of new-build applications were rejected as they did not comply with building regulations. Of those existing building applications that were rejected, 89 % of applications did not contain sufficient detail, 80% of applications did not meet the legal requirements for approval for work to an existing HRB, 50% of applications set out work that would “contravene existing building regulations and longstanding functional requirements”, and 43% of applications set out work only accounting for a small proportion of the actual work planned.
Regarding new-build applications, 73% of applications did not meet the legal requirements for approval for work to a new HRB; 73% of applications did not contain sufficient detail; and 45% of applications had work that would contravene building regulations, including longstanding functional requirements.
The figures suggest that 27% of applications did not adequately set out how changes would be managed through the construction phase. For both types of applications, other reasons for rejection included not adequately setting out how the project would satisfy the golden thread requirements, issues around or absence of a change control plan, duty-holders and competence issues, and mandatory occurrence reporting.
Alongside the transparency data, the BSR said it had published analysis on a selection of applications explaining why they had been rejected.
“This analysis can help industry better understand and address why their applications are not being approved.”
As reported by Inside Housing, the BSR admitted to delays in processing applications and that it would continue to “introduce improvements”. It added that recent recruitment activity was having a “positive impact on productivity, with the number of decisions doubling (month on month) overall since March”.
“Significantly, the number of decisions made are now exceeding new applications received.”
The regulator continued: “We take a pragmatic approach to assessment, as we recognise this is a new system for everyone. Where possible, we engage with applicants to help them navigate the requirements, but industry also needs to play its part to reduce delays.”
The BSR added that it would be introducing an Innovation Unit focusing on building control applications for new homes.
“The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) and BSR are working together to bring the additional specialist resource required into BSR.
“With the right dedicated resource, we expect to see a significant decrease in the number of weeks taken to determine new-build applications.
“While the new process will speed up the time taken to decide on applications only those applications that demonstrate compliance will be approved,” the BSR said.
A Remediation Enforcement Unit (REU) will also be established, which will be used to “quickly assess the cladding risk for registered higher-risk buildings”.
You can access the data here.