We spoke with Steve Evans, Head of Technical Operations at NHBC about the Gateway process for Higher Risk Buildings (HRB) introduced as part of the Building Safety Act reforms, with a particular focus on Gateway Two and the requirement for a detailed design submission
Navigating Gateway Two of the Gateway Process
Under the new process making major design changes during construction can create challenges.
Changes to the design may trigger a robust review process to ensure safety requirements are still met, possibly causing significant but preventable delays. To avoid this it is advisable for builders and developers to invest in thorough planning upfront and engage with all technical partners for input as early as possible in the development process and this includes your warranty provider.
Consequently, to successfully navigate the Gateway process it is essential to prioritise safety and compliance and be prepared for rigorous, multi-stage reviews.
The stages of the Gateway process
Enacted in 2022, The Building Safety Act introduced three new critical gateways to improve both safety standards and management for HRB. These gateways were positioned at key points, across the planning, design and construction stages.
From planning permission at the start of the project through to occupation, each stage requires review and approval from the building safety regulator. This means that navigating the Building Safety Act Gateway process requires even greater collaboration between those involved in the project at all stages of development, including but not limited to building owners, designers and contractors, as well as the relevant regulatory bodies.
The gateway process therefore not only ensures higher standards and rigorous checks, it also supports builders who value precision, compliance and safety in an ever-evolving construction landscape.
Gateway One: Planning Permission
Local planning authorities consult extensively with the Building Safety Regulator. Every proposed high-rise development undergoes rigorous initial scrutiny with detailed feedback provided on regulatory compliance issues. This stage sets the foundation for the entire project and occurs before planning permission is granted.
Gateway Two: Detailed Design Submission
At this stage, developers must submit fully detailed designs alongside comprehensive compliance statements. However this is not only an opportunity to submit plans but also to demonstrate consideration and forethought by showing how each element meets stringent building regulations. Deviation, variation or uncertainty at this stage can halt progress as plans must be finalised before any work can begin.
Gateway Three: Occupation
The final stage requires developers to obtain a completion certificate from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The building can only be occupied after a comprehensive review and approval process have taken place, including providing evidence that the building has been constructed in accordance with the approved plans.
Focussing on Gateway Two
As outlined above, Gateway Two is the second checkpoint in the Building Safety Act framework and takes place before any work on a project can start.
This gateway focuses on making sure that the implementation of the design in Gateway One meets the necessary safety standards. This gateway looks to prevent any deviations from the original design and safeguard the integrity of the building’s documented safety features.
At this stage the BSR assess the design to verify that the compliance statements, plans and specifications demonstrate that the building will meet the functional requirements of the building regulations. If sufficient information is not provided the Building Safety Regulator may not be able to assess compliance causing potential delays in this Gateway process.
Successful navigation of Gateway Two is critical to ensuring that the building can be constructed to meet the highest safety standards and will be ready for occupation.
How NHBC supports the Gateway process
NHBC is not only a warranty provider but a trusted partner throughout the build journey. Our focus is on critical technical areas that have historically been more complex such as:
- basement constructions
- cladding systems
- balcony designs
- flat roofing systems
- and green roof implementations.
By engaging with NHBC early in the design and build stages and through the Gateway process, builders and developers can mitigate risks, resolve compliance issues before they become costly and work to avoid unnecessary delays by ensuring their designs meet NHBC Standards ahead of their Gateway Two submission. This also means that any issue related to warranty can be resolved ahead of the Gateway Two application.
Find out more about the products and services NHBC offer that can support your development by visiting Builders | NHBC
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