Gateway point
Gateway points are: ‘Three key stages in the building lifecycle where the duty-holder must demonstrate that they are managing building safety risks appropriately before they are permitted by the relevant regulator to continue to the next stage of development.’
- The first gateway point will be before planning permission is granted when fire safety issues which impact on planning should be considered.
- The second gateway point will be before construction begins at the current ‘deposit of full plans’ stage under the Building Regulations 2010.
- The third gateway point is before occupation of the building at the final completion certificate/final notice stage under the building regulations.
They will apply to all multi-occupied residential buildings of 18 metres or more in height, or more than six storeys (whichever is reached first).
Ref A reformed building safety regulatory system, Government response to the ‘Building a Safer Future’ consultation, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, April 2020.
NB Setting the bar. A new competence regime for building a safer future. The Final Report of the Competence Steering Group for Building a Safer Future, published in October 2020, defines gateway points as: ‘Pre-determined stages in the building lifecycle where the dutyholder must demonstrate that they are managing building safety risks appropriately before they are permitted by the Building Safety Regulator to continue to the next stage of development.’
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