Panel appointed for Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
On 31st July 2025, the government announced the appointment of six members to the Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance panel.
The panel is being appointed to support work to deliver on the recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry Phase 2 report, accepted by the government, to review the statutory guidance which accompany the Building Regulations known as Approved Documents.
On 2 December 2024 the Deputy Prime Minister announced that the Building Safety Regulator would be leading a fundamental review of the building regulations guidance, to centre on how they are produced, structured and presented. This advisory panel will inform that review by producing an interim report in early 2026 and a final report by Summer 2026.
This panel is distinct from the Building Control Independent Panel, another advisory panel appointed earlier this year under the leadership of Dame Judith Hackitt. The Building Control Independent Panel also delivers on a Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendation, accepted by government, to carry out a review of whether to change the way in which building control is delivered in England. Dame Judith has been holding consultations over July alongside other four experts; Elaine Bailey, Ken Rivers, Rt Hon Nick Raynsford and Dr David Snowball. They are expected to deliver their report to government this autumn, which will be published alongside a MHCLG response. Their terms of reference can be found here
A central theme to the work of both Panels is to consider how respective improvements to guidance and systems can support the governments’ commitment to deliver 1.5 million new safe homes across the Parliament and beyond. New guidance to this end is unlikely to become available for some time, and not until after the final report is published in Summer 2026. Background and panel members** While the Building Regulations set the minimum required standards for building work, the Approved Documents contain general guidance on the performance expected of materials and building work, including practical examples of how to achieve compliance in common building situations. The Building Safety Regulator assumed responsibility for updating and keeping Approved Documents under review, in line with their duty under the Building Safety Act 2022 to keep under review the safety and standards of buildings.
The panel members are: • Dinah Bornat, Architect • Dan Rossiter, Digital Expert • Danielle Michalska-Morris, Housebuilder • Rachel Ferguson, Planner • Professor Luke Bisby, Technical Expert • Dr Hywel Davies, Technical Expert