Frustrated builders believe simple changes to the process can free-up the backlog of schemes waiting for approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).

One contracting boss told the Enquirer: “Construction work is being held-up because of the amount of information that needs to be provided before work starts.

“It’s tough for contractors to provide and it’s obvious the regulator doesn’t have the resources to make timely decisions.

“The focus should be shifted more to the completion stage for approval.

“The whole industry has bought into the Golden Thread and nothing has changed in terms of the regulations – you just have to prove that you are building legally and can show that.

“Shifting the emphasis to the end of the project means we can get jobs going – there are billions of pounds worth of projects ready to go.”

Another construction boss said: “No-one is going to cut corners these days and risk ending-up with a non-compliant building that might have to come down.

“Moving the compliance emphasis towards the end of construction will free-up a lot of work for the industry.

“I’d like to see the current Gateway 2 checks done around six months before completion when high rises are structurally nearly complete.

“The current system isn’t working but we all want to see safe buildings. We take pictures of everything for the Golden Thread so the proof will still be their for the end user and anyone who doesn’t comply with regulations will still be found out.

“It seems an obvious way to get sites moving again while ensuring safety.”

The Enquirer revealed yesterday that over two-thirds of Gateway 2 applications transferred to the BSR last autumn remain unapproved, despite earlier assurances from officials that the logjam would be resolved by now.