The move aims to sweep away the current fragmented safety system. But the plan has already sparked industry concern after two years of procurement disruption triggered by the Building Safety Regulator’s gateway regime.
The House of Lords inquiry into the Building Safety Regulator warned that the present system should be allowed to bed in before sweeping plans were advanced for a single watchdog to police construction standards.
The new regulator would absorb responsibilities across the built-environment chain, creating a single point of accountability for standards, enforcement and decision-making.
Officials say the reform responds directly to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s call for systemic change and will improve clarity, consistency and investor confidence.
But contractors and developers warn that any shift in responsibilities must avoid repeating the bottlenecks that hit projects during the BSR rollout, when the new high-rise approval system forced pauses, redesigns and delays across major programmes.
Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy Samantha Dixon said: “The plans set out today show how we are learning from the Grenfell tragedy and what we are doing to improve the effectiveness, consistency and efficiency of the construction sector and what we’re doing to make sure people’s homes are safe and good quality.
The case for reform is strong – one regulator across the entire construction system will be better able to review evidence, identify risks, issues and opportunities, as well as support action with enforcement where it is necessary.
The Executive Chair of the Building Safety Regulator, Andy Roe, said: “The journey toward a single regulator is a decisive and important step in strengthening building safety.
“Over the past few months, we have worked hard to speed up the application processes within the BSR for new high-rise residential buildings and are already seeing positive changes.
“The BSR’s role will evolve as we move to a new body, and in longer time toward the Single Regulator, through a carefully managed transition.
“Throughout this process, we will continue our commitment to collaboration, and delivering a regulatory system that keeps residents safe, and supports essential construction.”
A consultation sets out how the new body could be phased in, how the existing BSR would transition to its broader role, and how government intends to keep the approvals system moving while the overhaul takes shape.
Responses are open until 20 March 2026, with final proposals due next summer.
