Building Safety Act 2022: Government publishes new consultation

The government has published a consultation on implementing the new building control regime for higher-risk buildings under Part 3 of the Building Safety Act 2022. The consultation contains valuable detail on how the government proposes to implement the provisions and seeks views on the new regime for the design and construction of higher-risk buildings, as well as measures that will impact all building work. 

The consultation also sets out the government’s proposals for transitional arrangements for the new, more stringent building control process for higher-risk buildings. The current proposal is that developers will be able to continue work under their existing building control body (and, therefore, not be subject to the new regime) if they:

• have submitted a building / initial notice or deposited plans by the day the new regime commences, and
• commenced work (as defined) on the individual building within six months (the transitional period) of this date.

However, these buildings would still be subject to the requirements under Part 4 of the Building Safety Act 2022 in relation to the in-occupation regime for higher-risk buildings.

The consultation will provide the industry with an opportunity to comment and influence how these changes are implemented and will close on 12 October 2022. It is important that all sides of the industry take this opportunity to comment and influence the shape of these regulations since they will have significant impact for the future, the timing and process for the Building Safety Regulator’s approvals, affecting the start and completion of projects being a prime example.

The government is also consulting on the proposals for occupied higher-risk buildings under Part 4 of the Building Safety Act.