Jonathan Stackhouse, Pre-Construction Director, Sisk reflects upon our recent roundtable discussion on BSA Gateway 2 process
As the construction industry continues to evolve under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), the importance of collaboration, transparency and shared learning has never been greater.
We recently hosted a roundtable discussion to explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding Building Safety Act (BSA) Gateway 2 submissions, a critical milestone in the delivery of high-rise residential projects.
The aim of the event was to create an open and honest environment to discuss complexities around the BSA Gateway 2 process. Most attendees had direct experience navigating Gateway 2 submissions and the depth of insights shared was both insightful and optimistic.
Purpose
Following a number of successful applications, we want to drive effectiveness and efficiency for Sisk and our partners to develop the knowledge to deepen our understanding of Gateway 2 capabilities to our clients. By equipping our teams with the knowledge and confidence to communicate our expertise in this space, we can better support our clients and continue to lead in high-rise resi delivery under the BSA.
Gateway 2 submission content and timescales
What level of design detail is truly required for submission? How can we better align with RIBA stages? What’s achievable within current design periods, and how can we produce more accurate estimations for programme durations?
Key Themes
Several key themes emerged highlighting the importance of early collaboration across all disciplines to prevent late-stage surprises and ensure alignment from the outset often requiring detailed design work to be completed earlier, regardless of Gateway 2 submission requirements.
Transparent and thorough design information was emphasised as critical for achieving compliance and building trust with regulators.
Encouraging progress is being made in clearing the Gateway 2 submission backlog and improving communication with the BSR, leading to more streamlined and constructive engagement. Opportunities for innovation, smarter delivery, and enhanced knowledge sharing were also identified, particularly through digital tools and coordinated design strategies.
The wrap-up session consolidated these insights and paved the way for future steps, with attendees recognising the value of continued roundtables to share experiences and deepen collective understanding as the industry adapts to the evolving regulatory landscape.
The event was full of open dialogue, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and continuous learning. It demonstrated the value of bringing together industry experts to challenge assumptions, share knowledge and raise the bar. It was encouraging to see so many of our supply chain partners keen to participate and share their experience to improve our collective work-winning efforts. This will undoubtedly support Sisk and our aspirations to maintain our position as a market leader in the UK residential sector across London, West-Midlands and North-West.