Building safety regulator strategic plan 2026-27: key priorities for the year ahead

The Building Safety Regulator’s (“BSR”) new strategic plan for 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 marks an important moment in the evolution of the building safety regime. Now operating as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), the BSR is using this year to consolidate, improve, and shape the foundations of a future single construction regulator.

While the plan is intentionally focused, covering five core priorities, its themes are ambitious: streamlining processes; accelerating remediation; strengthening oversight during construction; enhancing risk monitoring; and lifting professional standards across the industry.

Below, we build from our previous review of the BSR’s first strategic review and break down what you need to know.

Improving operations and processes: what it means for project teams

The BSR recognises that it was initially set up at pace. The coming year is therefore aimed at improving application handling, communication and consistency across regulatory functions.

For the construction industry, this means:

• More structured engagement: The BSR is introducing dedicated account managers, enabling clearer communication channels for applicants during Gateway 2 and remediation processes.
• More predictable timeframes: Non-complex Gateway 2 applications are expected to receive responses within 18 weeks by March 2027. This is still slower that the statutory target of 12 weeks but would be a substantial improvement on some parties’ current experience.
• Greater emphasis on completeness and accuracy: With an Innovation Unit reviewing applications and staged Gateway 2 submissions now in place, project teams should expect increased scrutiny of documentation and earlier identification of issues. Again, the hope is that this will reduce delays.

The BSR is also exploring automation, improved data sharing and clearer guidance – all of which could reduce administrative burdens, provided submissions are of a high quality.

Why this matters:

Delays at Gateway 2 have historically pushed back procurement, mobilisation and programme certainty. The BSR’s changes aim to reduce this – but only where industry is prepared with well-coordinated, compliant applications.

Remediation: clearer approval pathways and more direct oversight

The BSR’s remediation role continues to centre on the removal of unsafe cladding from higher-risk buildings. For the construction sector, the plan introduces several operational shifts:

• Approval timelines tightening: The BSR aims to respond to remediation applications within 12 weeks for non-complex cases.
• Closer collaboration with key stakeholders: Engagement with MHCLG (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) and other bodies will shape workload and resourcing expectations for contractors delivering remediation schemes.
• Improved guidance and more transparent performance data: This should allow project teams to plan workloads more effectively and anticipate regulatory pinch points.

The BSR will also work more directly with Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs), monitoring whether remediation plans are progressing – and taking action where they are not.

Impact on contractors:

Expect more consistent approval cycles, but also tighter expectations on programme justification, risk management and evidence of safe processes.

Building phase oversight and gateway 3 - increased inspection pressure

The BSR anticipates a substantial rise in “in-build site inspections” as Gateway 2 approvals increase and national housing delivery targets grow.

For contractors and developers, this means:

• More frequent site inspections by Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs), with the BSR actively looking at new ways to support this resource-constrained profession.
• More evidence-based change control: As design changes occur during construction, detailed justification and documentation will be essential to avoid issues at Gateway 3.
• A more structured Gateway 3 process, with clearer guidance for submission, more predictable communication from the BSR, and faster turnaround where applications are well-prepared.

If a completion certificate is refused, the BSR will provide specific reasons – reducing uncertainty but increasing pressure on contractors to demonstrate full compliance before handover. It is important that contracts adequately allocate the risk of this occurring. 

Risk monitoring and standards: more dynamic and data‑Led regulation

The BSR will continue expanding its risk monitoring functions, collaborating with government, local authorities and emergency services while investing in software that tracks emerging risks.

For the construction sector:

• Expect changes to Approved Documents, as the BSR updates them to reflect new technologies, regulatory developments and construction methods.
• A fundamental review of guidance to building regulations may alter how industry interprets and applies compliance pathways.
• Risks linked to modern methods of construction may lead to new requirements or recommended mitigations.

This shift marks a more proactive regulator – one that will increasingly push for earlier risk identification and industry wide responsiveness.

Professional standards: competence expectations will continue to rise

The BSR’s focus on competence remains strong. Over the next year, it will:

• Review competent person scheme requirements;
• Strengthen RBI standards;
• Improve guidance on skills, behaviours and competence expectations;
• Publish a framework to help organisations embed cultural change; and
• Engage with public sector procurers to drive higher standards across the supply chain.

For contractors, this means greater emphasis on demonstrable competence at all levels – from design teams to site operatives to those managing regulatory submissions.

Conclusion: a tougher, clearer, and more predictable regime.

The 2026-27 Strategic Plan signals a maturing regulatory environment. The BSR is becoming more consistent and efficient.

For contractors, developers, and employers they key takeaway is this:

Regulatory expectations are rising, but processes are becoming clearer, meaning compliance will increasingly depend on early coordination, competent teams and well-prepared applications.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with our construction team or your usual Brodies contact.