Gateway 2 is the BSR\u2019s planning approvals checkpoint to ensure all safety-critical elements are fully designed, resolved and approved before physical work begins on higher-risk buildings. A new \u2018fast-track\u2019 innovation unit, established in August, is now responsible for a majority of live new build cases.<\/p>\n
More than 700 decisions were made in the final quarter of 2025, compared with around 200 in the first three months of the year. It is the most determinations in a single quarter since the BSR commenced operations.<\/p>\n
Figures for the 12 weeks to 22 December show that the rate of new build applications continues to rise and that, despite the innovation unit\u2019s efforts, the overall number of projects on the unit\u2019s roster is also increasing. However, the BSR said it expects the net figures to stabilise soon.<\/p>\n
Legacy new build cases have fallen once again, dropping from 94 at the end of September to 52 as of 22 December. The average approval time for these applications was 37 weeks compared with 12 weeks for new applications received by the innovation unit.<\/p>\n
The AJ has been informed of several \u2018speedy\u2019 approvals over the past couple of months, suggesting that the process is starting to free up after years of sluggish progress.<\/p>\n
Maccreanor Lavington\u2019s student housing scheme, the ROC Club in Southwark, was granted approval in late 2025 just 21 weeks after submission, with work starting on site in mid-December.<\/p>\n
The developer on the project, CKC Properties, said: \u2018Achieving a 21-week turnaround in an almost unknown environment to the industry is an absolute breath of fresh air.\u2019<\/p>\n
Gavin Finnan, director at Maccreanor Lavington, described the Gateway 2 process as \u2018relatively speedy and smooth\u2019.<\/p>\n
A Corstorphine & Wright-designed project for more than 600 student housing units also got through the Gateway 2 milestone in December, taking 13 weeks, only one week shy of the BSR\u2019s target decision time.<\/p>\n
Project developer Meanwhile said: \u2018Securing Gateway 2 approval for Kingsland Road in record time is a significant moment of confidence for investors and developers, particularly in the build-to-rent sector, that want to continue to deliver new housing in the UK.\u2019<\/p>\n
The BSR said in its latest report that the most recent batch of new build applications approved had been decided at the 12 to 13-week mark.<\/p>\n
Regarding legacy applications, it said a \u2018number of complex and\/or contested cases are likely to remain in January\u2019, though the approval rate of these older applications remains high at 83 per cent.<\/p>\n
One legacy case that has been hauled out of Gateway 2 limbo is Child Graddon Lewis\u2019s Luton town centre regeneration<\/a> scheme, which will finally get under way this month after BSR delays pushed the project from its intended start date in August last year.<\/p>\n