Building Control Approval application data
Building Control Approval application data
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has published its first comprehensive set of management information data for the building control function for higher-risk buildings (HRBs) in England.
The data will be updated quarterly.
What we use the Building Control Approval application data for
The building control application process for HRBs is still relatively new, although the functional requirements of building regulations remain the same.
The operational data alongside continuous user testing with people using the application service, helps us to identify and report on trends, issues and progress.
We have continued to test and refine how the function works and introduce improvements to help applicants navigate the process.
Alongside the Building Control Approval application data our formal insight research and engagement with industry has informed changes to the service.
What the Building Control Approval application data tells us
The data is published in four separate tables and provides detail on the number of building control approval applications received and the time taken to determine applications.
It also shows decision outcomes and performance against statutory time limits. Data from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025.
Table 1 – Building control approval applications received across all application types
New-build and work on existing HRBs, also including transitional and regularisation applications in England by type and quarter.
Transitional and regularisation applications are not subject to a statutory determination timeframe. (See notes 1 and 2.)
The number of open applications (as of 31 March 2025) stood at 1,019.
Table 2 – Building control approval applications by decision outcome and quarter
In total 31% of applications with a decision have been approved, with the remaining 69% invalid, withdrawn or rejected.
This figure is higher for new-build applications, with 77% of applications invalid, withdrawn or rejected to date. Rejection of remediation applications is lower, standing at 43% to date. (See note 9)
Table 3 – Building control approval applications by decision reached within determination period and quarter
45% of applications had a decision made within the statutory determination period from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025. (See note 14).
This figure is typically lower for new-build and remediation applications at 44% and 2% respectively to date.
Table 4 – Building control approval applications determination times in weeks by quarter
Determination time in weeks for building control approval application decisions in England by quarter (See note 9.)
As of 31 March 2025, the median determination timeframe from submission to decision stood at 25.1 weeks.
Delays and issues with applications
72% of duty holders tell us BSR is providing the relevant information for them to be able to comply with the application process.
However, we acknowledge there are delays in processing applications and we continue to introduce improvements.
Recent recruitment activity is having a positive impact on productivity with the number of decisions doubling (month on month) overall since March. Significantly, the number of decisions made are now exceeding new applications received.
Dedicated teams are now in place to process new-build and remediation applications, and we are introducing a new Innovation Unit which will focus on fast tracking new-build applications through the system.
We take a pragmatic approach to assessment as we recognise this is a new system for everyone. Where possible we engage with applicants to help them navigate the requirements, but industry also need to play their part to reduce delays.
Around 70% of applications we receive are rejected either because they:
- do not contain the information that’s required by law
- are withdrawn by the applicant
- do not show that the legal standards for safety (such as structure and fire safety) and quality (known as the functional requirements of building regulations) will be met
40% of these applications are rejected at the validation stage. This is often because they are missing basic information required by law. This stage is a simple administration check that all required documentation has been supplied.
Rejected applications
To help industry better understand why their applications are not being approved we’ve carried out analysis on a selection of rejected applications (42%). These are applications which were rejected post validation.
50% of existing buildings applications and 45% of new-build applications were rejected as they did not comply with building regulations.
Key reasons behind rejections of existing building applications:
- 89% of applications did not contain sufficient detail
- 80% of applications did not meet the legal requirements for approval for work to an existing HRB
- 50% of applications set out work which would contravene existing building regulations and longstanding functional requirements
- 43% of applications set out work only accounting for a small proportion of the actual work planned
Key reasons behind rejections of new-build applications:
- 73% of applications did not meet the legal requirements for approval for work to a new HRB
- 73% of applications did not contain sufficient detail
- 45% of applications set out work which would contravene building regulations including longstanding functional requirements
27% of applications did not adequately set out how changes would be managed through the construction phase. Other reasons for rejection found in both new-build and existing building applications include:
- not adequately setting out how the project would satisfy the golden thread requirements
- issues around or absence of a change control plan
- duty-holders and competence issues
- mandatory occurrence reporting
More information on common issues found in applications can be found here:
An FAQ on making building control applications can be found here:
Further improvements
Innovation Unit
After listening and responding to industry feedback we’re introducing an Innovation Unit which will focus on building control applications for new homes.
The Innovation Unit will enable BSR to streamline and speed up the process for around 30,000 new homes in high-rise buildings we have received building control applications for.
A key function of the Unit will introduce a new operating model for processing new-build applications. This will enable BSR to set up multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) in-house to work on these applications.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) and BSR are working together to bring the additional specialist resource required into BSR.
With the right dedicated resource we expect to see a significant decrease in the number of weeks taken to determine new-build applications.
While the new process will speed up the time taken to decide on applications only those applications that demonstrate compliance will be approved.
Remediation Enforcement Unit
A new Remediation Enforcement Unit (REU) is also being established to quickly assess the cladding risk for registered higher-risk buildings.
The REU will:
- identify the HRBs in scope of the unit’s work and relevant details
- contact the PAPs of those buildings
- ensure that all buildings requiring remediation have a time-bound remediation action plan in place
- assess the plans and take compliance action where plans are inadequate
- monitor implementation progress, through Homes England, taking compliance action where plans or progress are inadequate
The REU is expected to be up and running by the end of 2025.
Next steps
Building Control Approval application data will be updated and published quarterly.
Management data for other functions, will be published as reporting is fully established. This includes completion certificate applications and building assessment certificates for occupied HRBs.