The government has introduced a grace period for developers building high-rise residential buildings. This comes after a previous announcement requiring all new buildings over 18 metres to include a second staircase.
Transitional Period Explained
In a written statement, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove confirmed a 30-month transitional period for developers. This period starts from the date the government publishes and confirms changes to Approved Document B (ADB).
How the grace period will work
Developers will have 30 months to choose between building according to current regulations or adapting their plans to include a second staircase as outlined in the updated ADB.
After 30 months, all new building regulation applications must comply with the updated guidance requiring second staircases.
Existing Approved Applications
Building applications that were approved before the new guidance and do not include a second staircase will have an 18-month window for construction to begin. If construction does not commence within 18 months, developers will need to submit a new application following the updated guidance.
The definition of “sufficient progress” for construction to meet the 18-month deadline is aligned with the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023. This means construction progress must involve pouring concrete for foundations or pilings.
Safety of Existing Buildings
Gove emphasized that this grace period allows already approved single-staircase buildings to proceed without delay. He assured the public that existing and upcoming single-staircase buildings are not inherently unsafe if built according to relevant standards, well-maintained, and properly managed.
The government expects lenders, managing agents, and insurers to act accordingly and avoid imposing stricter requirements on existing single-staircase buildings.
Background and Industry Response
Calls for clear guidance on the second staircase requirement had been growing in the construction industry. Initially, the requirement only applied to high-rise buildings exceeding 30 metres. However, Gove lowered the threshold to 18 metres following consultations with experts.
This change brought England into alignment with other countries regarding second staircases in high-rise buildings. However, some industry bodies voiced concerns about the potential impact on housing development.
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) welcomed the announcement of the transitional arrangements. They acknowledged the government’s reinforcement of the safety of existing standards and expressed the industry’s commitment to working with the government to maintain progress in building safety.
Next Steps
The Building Safety Regulator is currently finalizing the design details for second staircases in ADB. The government will provide a further announcement on this soon.