The Government has announced a package of reforms to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) aimed at unblocking delays to high-rise housing developments and boosting confidence across the construction sector.
Central to the changes is a new Fast Track Process to 'enhance the review of new build applications, unblock delays and boost sector confidence'. The measures are designed to support the delivery of 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes and lay the groundwork for a single construction regulator - fulfilling a key recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Among the announcements was the appointment of Andy Roe, former Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, as non-executive chair of a new board within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, with Charlie Pugsley named the new Chief Executive Officer of the BSR.
On news of the announcement, Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive at the Home Builders Federation, said: "We welcome the changes announced by Government that we hope will reduce the blockages industry currently faces and that has seen delivery of high rise developments grind to a halt.
Jefferson continued: "The new leadership team has a proven track record in delivering effective change and getting results and the industry is committed to working with them as they start to address the huge challenges they face. If they are successful in creating a more functional organisation, it will ensure the BSR is a more effective overseer of building safety and not a barrier to the Governments housing ambition."