In this quarterly update, we aim to summarise the latest publications and round up developments in Building Safety news since our September 2025 update.
Grenfell Tower Inquiry Progress Report No.2
On 30 September 2025 the government published its second progress report on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 recommendations.
This report contains the implementation timeline promised in the first report published in May. It lists key milestones for each recommendation and when the government expects each recommendation to be completed. It will be updated quarterly to reflect progress and incorporate new milestones, alongside the progress reports. As anticipated, the government still expects it will take 4 years to implement all the recommendations.
Template Access Agreement for buildings covered by the Developer Remediation Contract
On 3 October 2025 the government published a Template Access Agreement to support compliance with the Developer Remediation Contract and accelerate building safety work.
This agreement is designed for use between developers and responsible entities to formalise the terms under which a developer may enter a building to carry out surveys or fire safety assessments, including intrusive investigations such as a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW). The template aims to resolve common delays caused by disagreements over access rights, with the object that fire safety defects can be identified and remediated promptly. It provides a framework for granting a non-exclusive licence for access, sets out responsibilities for costs and liability, and emphasises that consent does not imply any warranty on the adequacy of works.
New measures announced to increase housebuilding in London
Towards the end of October, the government announced a package of emergency measures to accelerate housebuilding in London, aiming to unlock tens of thousands of homes and address stalled development amid a “perfect storm” of high interest rates, spiralling construction costs, and regulatory barriers. The plan includes a fast-tracked planning route for schemes delivering at least 20% affordable housing, temporary relief from development levies, and the removal of design guidance that limits density. Additional steps involve granting the Mayor of London new powers to review and call in schemes of 50 houses or more, where boroughs are minded to refuse. There is also £322 million of initial funding for a City Hall Developer Investment Fund to further ensure increased housebuilding. These time-limited measures, subject to consultation, are designed to make sites more viable, incentivise developers to start building quickly, and ensure more affordable and social homes are delivered across the capital.
Second report on data from the Building Safety Regulator ("BSR")
On 27 November 2025, the Health & Safety Executive ("HSE") published its second report regarding the progress of building control applications through the BSR.
Operationally, the BSR reported record activity under Gateway 2, with 272 building control decisions made by late November and an overall approval rate of 73%, largely through the enhanced “approval with requirements” route. London accounted for 76% of these determinations, reflecting the concentration of high-rise projects. The regulator is also addressing historic applications, with 40 resolved since August and plans to clear most remaining cases by year-end. In addition, the Innovation Unit is expediting complex applications to reduce processing times.
Guidance for local authorities working with the BSR
On 3 December 2025, the HSE issued guidance under the Building Safety Act 2022 ("BSA") setting out how local authorities must assist the BSR in regulating higher-risk buildings ("HRBs"). The guidance requires councils to respond promptly to written requests for competent professionals, these include registered building inspectors and fire safety specialists, to join multi-disciplinary teams ("MDTs") that support BSR’s regulatory functions, including building control approvals, inspections, change control, and building assessment certificates. Assistance may be provided directly or via regional hubs to address capacity and conflicts of interest, and authorities must ensure staff have appropriate skills, experience, and behaviours, manage conflicts of interest, and comply with data-sharing and professional standards. Costs can be recovered on a cost-recovery basis, while HSE retains liability for regulatory decisions. This framework formalises local authority involvement in building safety oversight and signals more rigorous scrutiny for HRBs, with potential implications for project timelines and resource planning.
BSR's first injunction
In Health and Safety Executive v Integritas Property Group (IPG) [2025] EWHC 2613 (TCC), the Technology and Construction Court granted the HSE, acting as the BSR, its first injunction to prohibit occupation of a HRB lacking a Building Regulations Completion Certificate.
The property, a 244-room student accommodation block over 18 metres high, had significant safety defects including inadequate cavity barriers and poor workmanship. Despite having received a contravention notice, cancellation notice and a stop notice, IPG marketed the building for occupation, prompting the HSE to seek an urgent injunction. The court held that the HSE had standing to enforce building safety obligations and, applying the American Cyanamid principles, found that damages were inadequate and the balance of convenience favoured the injunction given health and safety risks. This decision signals the court’s willingness to support proactive enforcement under the BSA and confirms that interim injunctions are a viable tool for the HSE where compliance failures pose serious safety concern.
DAC Beachcroft has a dedicated building safety team with extensive experience advising all stakeholders on how best to prepare for, manage and mitigate the implications of the Building Safety Act and associated legislation. As well as proactive advice on how the legislation affects commercial interests, we help our clients navigate the risks in procurement and contract management, legacy claims, extended exposures under the Act, construction products, commercial disputes and insurance issues. We also offer bespoke training on how the Building Safety Act impacts across the industry.
