The Building Control Authority
Building Control Approval application data
BSR has published its comprehensive set of Building Control Approval application data for the building control function for HRBs in England.
Building Control FAQ
A useful FAQ guide on how the Building Control Authority works, and what BSR expects from industry.
Getting building control applications right
Support for high-rise developers with building control applications.
Building Control guidance
We’ve made improvements to our guidance for building control approval for higher-risk buildings. Read the guidance and links to GOV.UK
Building control approval for higher-risk building work
BSR became the Building Control Authority for all higher-risk buildings (HRBs) in England in October 2023.
Developers need to apply to BSR for building control approval for all new building work in-scope of the higher-risk regime. This work can no longer be overseen by local authority or private sector building control.
Anyone applying to BSR for building control approval must ensure their applications clearly and comprehensively demonstrate compliance with building regulations.
High-quality applications help BSR make informed decisions quickly, reducing risk of misinterpretation – ensuring all building control standards are met.
Applicants should clearly identify every aspect of the project that requires compliance with building regulations. This ensures no detail is overlooked and each aspect of the HRB is accounted for in compliance documentation.
BSR needs a direct line of sight between identified aspects and the building regulations. So it’s very important that applicants clarify the exact standards, codes or documents each aspect of the HRB complies with.
It’s not enough to list compliance. Applications need to explain why these standards were chosen and how they apply to the project. This will ensure BSR can easily verify compliance and the application will not require further interpretation.
What does a good building control application look like?
If you’re planning work on a higher-risk building (HRB), getting approval means more than ticking boxes – it demands clear, well-structured evidence that your design meets all legal safety and quality standards.
Our Getting it right page shows you what’s expected and how to avoid the common pitfalls that can lead to delays or rejection. With practical guidance, real-world case studies, and expert insights, it gives you the understanding to submit a complete, compliant application – and get it right first time.
Seeking building regulations advice
As the regulator BSR won’t tell you how to comply with building regulation requirements or provide pre-application advice.
However, for some complex projects we may provide advice on the best way of staging your application. For example with multi-building projects. If you need advice on the buildings regulations it should be sought from competent professionals.
Applications which lack the required detailed information or fail to demonstrate clear compliance will be rejected. So it is crucial that developers provide quality, detailed and complete applications.
Building Control webinars – July 2025
Our recent expert-led webinars saw hundreds of attendees joining us online for 2 free sessions.
- Building control applications demystified was aimed at developers. It provided guidance on effective applications, common pitfalls and managing change
- The fundamentals of building control applications for Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs), offered practical advice on navigating the application process and being an intelligent client
Bookmark BSR’s events page to find out more about future webinars planned for later this year.
Building Control for higher-risk buildings – Important changes
Neil Hope-Collins, Policy Lead, HRB, Building Control Authority, explains some of the important changes in building control for higher-risk buildings.
A to Z of building safety
To find out more about any terms or organisations used on this page, refer to our A to Z of building safety glossary.