Committee begins inquiry into building safety regulation
The Industry and Regulators Committee will begin its inquiry into building safety regulation by hearing from developers and housing associations. The Committee will discuss whether the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) regulatory framework has improved the safety of high-rise buildings and what impact it has had on the delivery of new homes and the maintenance of existing ones.
The Committee will consider whether the BSR has struck the right balance between providing a holistic view of safety and ensuring developers and building owners understand what they are required to do, and what level of guidance and feedback is necessary to allow the sector to better understand this. The Committee will also examine whether it is possible to make the BSR’s framework more proportionate without impacting on the safety of high-rise buildings, and whether the BSR has the skills and resources it needs to provide timely approvals.
Meeting details
Possible questions include:
- Has the introduction of the BSR improved the safety of the buildings it is responsible for?
- How has the BSR’s regulatory framework impacted the delivery of new buildings and homes, and the maintenance and improvement of existing high-rise buildings?
- To what extent are delays caused by a poor understanding of building safety on the part of developers, leading to unsuitable applications?
- To what extent are delays a result of growing pains that will ease over time, or a structural problem that requires more significant changes?