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Navigating Gateway Two

16 May, 2025 | Building Safety Act

FIS members have access to Build UK’s guide to the validation stage at Gateway Two, which sets out the documents that should be included within an application for Building Control Approval for a Higher-Risk Building (HRB). The May 2025 version confirms the following in line with the most recent guidance published by the BSR:

  1. Building Control Approval is not required for building work which consists only of exempt work, work carried out under a Competent Person Scheme, or an emergency repair to an existing HRB
  2. For ‘staged applications’, applicants are advised to contact the BSR prior to submission
  3. The ‘Description of Proposed Work’ document is being used by the BSR as a ‘project summary’ to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and experience required of the Registered Building Inspector (RBI) when assembling the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)
  4. Clarification on what should be included within the Construction Control Plan
  5. In the event an application is rejected, the BSR has advised that any new application should reference the previous one to enable the same MDT to be appointed.

In light of the significant issues with Gateway Two and the potential impact on the Government’s target to build 1.5 million homes, Building Safety Minister Alex Norris held a roundtable with industry leaders to understand what can be done to overcome them. The industry called for a ‘reset’ and urged the BSR to review the process, including providing greater clarity on what is expected within applications for Building Control Approval and increasing engagement with applicants. There was also a clear view that the BSR should share information on why applications are being rejected and publish regular updates on performance against the statutory timescales.

BSR charges increased from 1 April 2025
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has increased its fees for carrying out a range of building control functions from 1 April 2025. This includes processing an application for Building Control Approval at Gateway Two which now incurs an application fee of £189 plus the time spent reviewing it charged at £151 per hour per person working on the application.