The Role of the Principal Designer – Building Safety Act and Gateway Two Update

A recent Housing Forum roundtable, held in partnership with BPTW, took a close look at the role of the Principal Designer under the Building Safety Act 2022, diving into some key challenges like ensuring competency and making registration processes more effective. Industry professionals brought their perspectives to the table, raising concerns about the hurdles in registering Principal Designers, securing insurance, and dealing with the Act’s impact on existing buildings.

One major issue discussed was the significant delays with Gateway Two approvals, which are causing headaches for project timelines and budgets. The group also explored various registers and standards for assessing Principal Designer competency, including those from RIBA and CIAT, and stressed the importance of maintaining integrity in manufacturer products.

The roundtable wrapped up with a clear message: there’s an urgent need for better guidance and stronger collaboration across the housing construction industry to tackle these challenges effectively.