Building safety regulator faces shake-up in bid to improve performance

Mr Norris said: “The establishment of the Building Safety Regulator has been fundamental to centralising safety in the construction process and it’s time to take the next steps to build on that precedent and create a system that works for the sector whilst keeping residents and their safety at the heart of the process.”  

He explained that this new organisational structure reflected the government’s commitment to building safety while it seeks to build 1.5m new homes over the course of this parliament.

HSE chair Sarah Newton said: “We are very proud of the work we have done to establish the BSR.

“It was always an option that once the new regulator was established that it would move out of HSE to enable the Government to implement the Grenfell Public Inquiry recommendations and we will work hard to enable the smooth transition to the next stage.”  

Andy Roe has been appointed to chair of a new board in MHCLG to take on the functions of the BSR from the HSE as part of initial steps towards creating a single construction regulator.  

He was previously commissioner of London Fire Brigade and will be supported by chief executive Charlie Pugsley.  

A new fast-track process will be deployed to bring building inspection and engineering capacity into the BSR to enhance the processing and review of new build cases and remediation decisions, the ministry said.

It added: “This will respond to concerns in the sector around delays whilst crucially keeping building and residents’ safety at the core of the process.”  

Robert Bruce, a partner at law firm Freeths, said: “Reform of the regulatory regime is very welcome and essential if there is to be any chance of the Government coming close to its target of building 1.5m homes this Parliament.”

Mark Smulian