Building control approvals: the latest data from the BSR

Building control approval is a statutory requirement for certain building work on higher-risk buildings (HRBs), under the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023.

These regulations, together with the Building Safety Act 2022, the Building Act 1984 and the Building Regulations 2010, form the regulatory framework governing building control for higher-risk buildings in England.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), acting through the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), became the building control authority for higher-risk buildings in England on 1 October 2023.

Since then, there has been widespread criticism of the additional time, cost and complexity introduced by the new regime, particularly in relation to internal refurbishment works.

Last week, the BSR published its latest building control approval application data, covering the period from May to July 2026, with data correct as of 1 August 2026.

Building Safety Regulator – Building control approval application data, May to July 2026

The latest figures make for interesting reading.

Internal refurbishment works

Source: Building_Safety_Regulator_building_control_approval_application_data_May_to_July_2026.pdf

The BSR reports that the approval rate for internal refurbishment works in categories A and B is currently 77%, with a median determination time for approvals of 32 weeks.

The BSR acknowledges that determination times have increased since its last publication. It attributes this to the closure of a significant number of older applications in recent months.

However, the BSR was keen to emphasise that the headline 32-week figure masks a more positive trend for newer applications. The median determination time for HRB internal works applications submitted in 2026 is currently 16 weeks — half the overall median.

This distinction is important. The overall figure is being influenced by applications that have been in the system for considerably longer, whereas more recent applications appear to be moving through the process substantially faster.

Even so, whether it is 32 weeks or 16 weeks, both figures remain significantly longer than the eight-week statutory determination period for applications relating to existing higher-risk buildings.

Internal works now account for almost half of Gateway 2 decisions

Another interesting statistic is the proportion of Gateway 2 decisions relating to internal works.

The BSR reports that HRB internal work determinations over the past 12 weeks accounted for around 49% of all Gateway 2 decisions. These figures exclude NHS applications, which are now reported separately.

At the same time, there are currently 981 HRB internal works applications in progress, with 448 new applications received over the latest 12-week period and 166 decisions made.

That raises an interesting question.

If applications continue to enter the system at a significantly higher rate than decisions are being made, could this eventually place upward pressure on determination times?

The latest figures show 448 new internal works applications against 166 decisions over the 12-week period. While this does not necessarily mean determination times will rise — particularly if BSR capacity and productivity continue to improve — it does suggest that demand remains substantial.

More broadly, there are currently 1,547 Gateway 2 applications in progress across all categories, including new build, external remediation, internal refurbishment and NHS applications.

A mixed picture

The latest BSR data therefore presents something of a mixed picture.

On the one hand, the headline approval rate for internal refurbishment works has reached 77%, and applications submitted during 2026 are currently achieving a median determination time of 16 weeks. This suggests that the BSR is making progress in dealing with the backlog and improving processing times for newer applications.

On the other hand, the overall median remains at 32 weeks, and the number of internal works applications in progress remains high.

For those involved in HRB refurbishment projects, the key question may therefore be less about the headline 32-week figure and more about whether the improving performance for 2026 applications can be maintained as application volumes continue to build.

The next few months should provide a useful indication of whether the BSR's increased resources and improving processes are sufficient to keep pace with demand.