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.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.























