Building Control

The Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) has introduced wide ranging and complex changes to the design process and the role of the architect

The development of competence in building safety professionals was a key recommendation of Dame Judith Hackitt’s landmark review following the Grenfell Tower fire, which led to 72 people losing their lives.

Private firms must now register as Registered Building Control Approvers (RBCAs). Crucially, individual building inspectors are now legally Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs). Their role has shifted entirely to objective regulatory compliance—they are now strictly prohibited from offering design advice to help architects fix non-compliant plans.

Responsibility for design compliance is now the responsibility of the individual designers, while the Principal Designer (PD) – typically the architect - is legally responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring design compliance across the entire project team. If a client fails to appoint a qualified PD in writing, that legal liability automatically defaults to the client.

This means that architects will have a larger role to play in ensuring building regulation compliance, and will need to make clients aware of these changes.

In terms of achieving building control approval the options are as follows:

1. Higher-Risk Buildings (HRB’s)

For residential buildings over 18 metres or 7 storeys, hospitals, and care homes, the application is made directly to the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR). Work cannot start on-site until a rigorous "Gateway 2" full design review is completely approved.

2. Full Plans Application (Non-HRBs)

For standard commercial and domestic projects, detailed architectural plans and structural calculations must be submitted and thoroughly vetted by the Local Authority or an RBCA before work begins on-site.

3. Building Notice

This is now strictly limited to simple, uncomplicated domestic residential works (like minor home extensions). It is legally prohibited for HRBs, commercial properties, shops, and offices. While it allows work to start 48 hours after submission, it carries financial risk if completed work is later found to be non-compliant.

4. Retrospective Regularisation

If work was previously completed or started without building control involvement, a retrospective application can be made to validate compliance, though this often requires opening up completed structures for inspection.

At Reform Architects we are committed to helping our clients achieve compliance for their buildings, and work closely with registered building control approvers, fire engineers and other consultants to achieve this. If you have questions about achieving building regulation compliance on an existing building or project, get in touch with us.