BSR Regulation in the UK: The Numbers So Far
Since the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) became fully operational in England under the Building Safety Act 2022, all higher-risk buildings (over 18 metres or 7 storeys with residential units) must go through a new, stricter approval process.
After more than a year in action, some clear statistics are emerging — and they show that the system, while necessary, is proving a major challenge for the industry.
Key Statistics at a Glance
1,019 higher-risk building (HRB) applications have been recorded since the system came into force (as of early 2025).
Around 45–50% of all submissions have been rejected or marked invalid.
Only about 10–40% of Gateway 2 (pre-construction) applications have been approved so far.
Roughly 69% of rejected applications failed because they lacked the legally required technical detail.
Application volumes rose from 69 in late 2023 to nearly 500 by the end of 2024, but approvals haven’t kept pace.
The average waiting time for a Gateway 2 decision is estimated at 30–36 weeks.
Developers report spending up to £12,000–£25,000 on applications that were later rejected.
Common Reasons for Rejection
Missing or incomplete technical and fire-safety details
Incorrect or incomplete documentation
Withdrawn submissions to rework and resubmit
Overloaded regulatory capacity causing delays and inconsistent feedback
What It Means
The new BSR regime aims to raise safety and accountability standards — but it’s also causing significant delays and extra costs for developers.
The main takeaway: applications must be far more detailed, accurate, and complete than under the old building control system.