London’s residential construction market is facing a new and formidable challenge. A critical bottleneck in the UK’s building safety approval process, known as Gateway 2, is causing unprecedented delays for high-rise residential projects. With some developments stalled for over 40 weeks, the pressure on London’s builders is immense. This regulatory roadblock, designed to enhance building safety, has inadvertently created a state of limbo, leaving expensive equipment idle, skilled trades in the lurch, and project timelines in disarray. For many medium-sized construction firms, this uncertainty is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a direct threat to their financial stability and ability to deliver on housing promises.
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced Gateway 2 as a crucial checkpoint, requiring developers to gain approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) before commencing work on higher-risk buildings. While the intention was to improve fire and structural safety standards, the reality has been a slow and frustrating process. Recent reports from the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) paint a stark picture of the situation, revealing that over 150 high-rise projects are currently stalled across the UK due to these approval delays [1].
This has created a domino effect throughout the supply chain. The CPA reports that over 150 tower cranes are sitting idle, a clear visual representation of the financial strain rippling through the industry. For projects that were expected to be cleared in a matter of weeks, the wait has stretched to over 40 weeks in some cases. This isn’t just a pause; it’s a full-blown crisis that threatens the government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes and puts the future of many London construction firms in jeopardy.
The financial impact of these delays extends far beyond the cost of idle machinery. When a project grinds to a halt, the hidden costs can be crippling for medium-sized builders. Skilled plumbers, electricians, and other trades cannot be kept on the books indefinitely with no work to do. This forces difficult decisions and risks losing valuable team members to other projects or even other industries. The momentum of a project is lost, and the intricate web of supplier and subcontractor relationships becomes strained.
Furthermore, the disjointed communication methods that many firms rely on—a chaotic mix of emails, WhatsApp messages, and text messages—completely break down during these extended periods of uncertainty. Information gets lost, updates are missed, and when approval is finally granted, remobilising the workforce becomes a frantic and inefficient scramble. This is where the true cost of poor communication, a topic we’ve explored in our post on The Hidden 11% Cost: How Poor Communication Between Trades Is Destroying Your Construction Budget, becomes painfully apparent.
For many London builders, especially those managing five or more projects, the Gateway 2 delays have exposed the critical flaws in their existing communication systems. When timelines are predictable, it’s just about possible to juggle the constant stream of messages. But when a project is in a state of suspended animation, the need for a single source of truth becomes paramount. Trying to coordinate trades, manage updated timelines, and keep all stakeholders informed using a fragmented system is a recipe for disaster.
While larger competitors might turn to expensive, enterprise-level software like Procore, this is often overkill for medium-sized firms. Other solutions like Fieldwire are excellent for task management on an active site, but they don’t solve the core problem of keeping a whole project team aligned and informed during a prolonged, inactive phase. Similarly, client-focused platforms like Co-construct are not designed to manage the complex web of communication between the main contractor and the numerous trades and suppliers involved in a high-rise residential project.
This is where BRCKS provides a powerful and affordable solution, designed specifically for the challenges faced by UK builders. Instead of letting projects descend into chaos during Gateway 2 delays, smart London builders are using BRCKS to stay organised, prepared, and ready to mobilise at a moment’s notice. By providing a centralised platform for all project communication, BRCKS eliminates the confusion of scattered messages and ensures that everyone—from the project manager to the individual trades—is working from the same information.
With BRCKS, all project documentation can be organised and stored securely, ready for submission to the BSR or for quick reference when work resumes. This level of organisation not only streamlines the approval process but also demonstrates a high level of professionalism to clients and regulators. As our case study with Bonchurch BC shows, implementing a system like BRCKS can save significant time and money, with their management and maintenance divisions each saving an hour per day. In the context of Gateway 2 delays, that time saving translates into better cost control and a more resilient business.
As we’ve discussed in our post on Why 68% of UK Residential Construction Projects Go Over Budget, controlling costs is crucial. BRCKS gives you the tools to do just that, even when your project is on hold.
The Gateway 2 bottleneck is a serious challenge, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence for your projects. By adopting a smarter approach to communication and project management, London’s builders can navigate these delays and emerge stronger and more organised. Don’t let regulatory roadblocks dictate the future of your business. Take control of your projects, keep your teams aligned, and be ready to hit the ground running the moment you get the green light.
•The Hidden 11% Cost: How Poor Communication Between Trades Is Destroying Your Construction Budget
•Why 68% of UK Residential Construction Projects Go Over Budget (And How to Stop It)
BRCKS is currently in beta and available to a select group of builders. If you’re tired of the chaos of disjointed communication and want to take control of your projects, visit our website at www.brcks.io to learn more and join the waitlist.
[1] Construction Management. (2025, October 9). Gateway 2 ‘roadblock’ risks 1.5m homes pledge, warns CPA. Retrieved from https://constructionmanagement.co.uk/gateway-2-roadblock-risks-1-5m-homes-pledge-warns-cpa/
