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Approval rates for gateway 2 applications at the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) have risen to 67% after its new ‘batching’ initiative proves to be “significantly quicker” than previous processes.
The regulator’s latest data, covering Q1 2026, shows that processing times under the batching model are significantly quicker, with the initiative “outperforming the previous multi-disciplinary model” in the gateway 2 process. Launched in September 2025 as the original process failed to keep up with the volume of applications, the batching pilot initiative bundles up packages of applications to be overseen by an external engineering firm, with the BSR retaining oversight.
According to the data, 284 gateway 2 decisions were made across all building application categories in the 12 weeks to 29 March 2026, with two thirds given the go-ahead.
It added that the Innovation Unit received 72 new applications, with 31 determinations made. Of these 31 decisions, 19 were approvals and 12 were rejections.
Around 92 decisions for remediation applications were made during the first three months of the year, with 61% given the green light. Just 228 remediation decisions were made throughout 2025.
Last month, the BSR confirmed it has cut down the backlog of complex gateway 2 legacy cases to just three applications, with 18 transferred to a separate complex case category.
Charlie Pugsley, chief executive of the BSR, said: “We continue to see improvements to numbers of approvals for new-build and remediation cases and the time taken to get to a decision.
“The data we have published today reinforces the significant improvements we have seen when you look at where we were in July 2025, with median decision times of 51.5 weeks.
“A big part of our work to drive improvements is now focused on improving technical consistency in the sector and ensuring that learning from challenging designs or applications is shared. So, we have less complex cases to work through, further reducing decision times.”
On top of this, a new strategic plan has revealed five priority areas for the BSR to guide its work process from April 2026 to 31 March 2027, now that is has transferred to a standalone body, the first of which is to improve operations and processes.
Other priorities include supporting remediation of buildings with unsafe cladding, ensuring safe construction and smooth gateway 3 approvals, keeping safety risks and building standards under review and improving professional standards across the built environment.
Samantha Dixon, building safety minister, said: “Through its vital work, the BSR is strengthening building safety across the country – protecting residents, raising standards and making sure those responsible for buildings are held to account. These reforms are already delivering tangible improvements, including stronger oversight of new-build applications, progress on remediation and action to address legacy safety issues.
“This strategic plan sets out the ambition for the year ahead. It demonstrates how continued progress in building safety will go hand in hand with growth, while delivering meaningful improvements to the experience of residents in their homes.”
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