Government plans high-rise fire safety sign-off

The government has set out plans to incorporate fire safety checks in planning, following Dame Judith Hackett’s recommendations in response to Grenfell Tower. Documents from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government explain the new steps developments must take as part of planning gateway one, which will come into force on 1 August. This will require the Health and Safety Executive to be consulted prior to any consent granted for high-rise development. Applications will also be required to include a fire statement to ensure developers have considered fire issues. There will be three gateway points for all new high-rise development. At gateway one, applicants must incorporate fire safety into planning. Gateway two will see the Building Safety Regulator required to sign off building controls for construction. A third gateway will provide a hard stop, with the BSR undertaking final inspections and issuing a completion certificate. These measures will apply to all buildings over 18m or seven storeys. MHCLG will also introduce a fire safety prior approval for residential schemes developed under permitted development rights. To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette