[News] Latest Insights from the BSR: Gateway 2 Accelerates as Gateway 3 Comes Into Focus

The Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) latest data shows a significant improvement in Gateway 2 performance for higher-risk buildings. New build approval rates have risen from 39% to 91% in twelve months, while median approval times have fallen from 43 weeks to 22 weeks.

But as Gateway 2 becomes faster and more predictable, scrutiny is moving to the next stage of the process.

Gateway 3 is coming into focus, with 319 applications received to date and a 72% approval rate. No new build scheme has yet reached Gateway 3 outside transitional arrangements, meaning the first wave will be tested on evidence of how buildings were actually constructed — not simply how they were designed.

Meanwhile, 181 major change requests are currently live during construction, highlighting change control as an emerging pressure point.

The message for developers and project teams is clear: getting Gateway 2 right is only part of the challenge. Evidence, quality and change control throughout construction will become increasingly important as projects move towards Gateway 3.

Catalyst’s latest BSR Data Briefing: May–July 2026 explores the data in more detail, including approval trends, application quality, change control and what Gateway 3 means for project delivery.

For support across the Building Safety Act gateway lifecycle, talk to Catalyst.