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BSR promises changes to Approved Documents as six experts appointed to review panel
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has confirmed that its review of Approved Documents guidance will go much further than looking at the functional requirements.
BSR promises changes to Approved Documents as six experts appointed to review panel #UKhousingThe Building Safety Regulator has confirmed that its review of Approved Documents guidance will go much further than looking at the functional requirements #UKhousingThe update from the BSR came as the government appointed six members to the Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance panel.
First announced in December 2024, deputy prime minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner asked the BSR to undertake the review during her opening speech of the debate on the second and final Grenfell Tower Inquiry report.
The panel will support work to deliver on the recommendation from this report, accepted by the government, to review the statutory guidance that accompany building regulations known as Approved Documents – the government’s official guidance on how to comply with building regulations on fire safety.
In a briefing on the new panel’s remit, the BSR explained to Inside Housing that it will not just be looking at the thresholds and requirements of the Approved Documents but what will become the new standard for all building safety.
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The BSR described the panel’s job as looking at how it can make compliance easier, to centre on how regulations are produced, structured and presented, and communicate those changes effectively to house builders.
This will happen alongside the BSR’s continuous review of the Approved Documents to ensure it reflects changes in technology and materials.
The review will also look at the needs of different size organisations, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, and will look to engage a range of stakeholders from across the sector. This will include the BSR’s resident engagement panel for its feedback.
In her 2018 review, Dame Judith Hackitt said the Approved Documents were “complex, ambiguous and not user-friendly”, and called for them to be simplified.
Building safety minister Alex Norris said: “The appointment of this panel is an important step in our response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Guidance which supports compliance with building regulations must be clear, accurate and practical, and subject to regular updates to ensure it remains effective.
“The work of the panel will support our delivery of 1.5 million new homes by making compliance easier, improving safety and quality in construction, and ensuring greater confidence in the building safety system. I look forward to receiving the panel’s recommendations.”
The panel has appointed six individuals with expertise in architecture, building control, housebuilding, and digital and technical issues.
Dinah Bornat is an architect described as “a renowned advocate for people-centred development”. She is co-founder and director of ZCD, a research-led practice based in London that works on residential, community and commercial projects.
Dan Rossiter is the built environment sector lead at the British Standards Institute and vice-president technical at the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists. He has previously provided his expertise to several national committees relating to information management and technical documentation in the built environment.
Danielle Michalska-Morris is the director of research and technical innovation at Taylor Wimpey. She brings to the panel her expert knowledge and experience in low-carbon building design and building services.
Rachel Ferguson is senior development manager at Pocket Living. She has extensive expertise in affordable housing and brings broad experience in planning, including strategic masterplans, estate regeneration projects and new build.
Professor Luke Bisby is chair of fire and structures and director of discipline at the University of Edinburgh. He served as an expert witness to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and will bring fire safety expertise to the panel.
Dr Hywel Davies was technical director at the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers. He previously served as chair of the government’s Building Regulations Advisory Committee.
The panel will provide an interim update early next year and a final report in summer 2026.
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