Improving Proportionality and Building Safety Outcomes in Building Control: Telecommunications work
This consultation seeks views on proposals to streamline the building control procedural requirements for the following types of building work within the higher-risk building regime: fibre optic cabling and mobile masts. In the case of building work to fibre optic infrastructure, the consultation also seeks views on building control approval routes for non-higher-risk buildings. These proposals aim to ensure that regulatory processes remain proportionate, effective, and focused on maintaining building safety. Specifically, the consultation considers proposals to dispense with procedural requirements of building regulations for the following types of building work to existing buildings: building work related to the drilling of holes through internal fire-resisting walls for fibre optic cabling and work related to the installation and repair of mobile communications masts. For these activities, the current building control procedural requirements may be unreasonable an
Improving Proportionality and Building Safety Outcomes in Building ControlTelecommunications work
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Citizen Space
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Improving Proportionality and Building Safety Outcomes in Building ControlTelecommunications work
Overview
This consultation seeks views on proposals to streamline the building control procedural requirements for the following types of building work within the higher-risk building regime: fibre optic cabling and mobile masts. In the case of building work to fibre optic infrastructure,
the consultation
also seeks views on building control approval routes for non-higher-risk buildings.
These
proposals aim to ensure that regulatory processes remain proportionate, effective, and focused on maintaining building safety.
Specifically, the consultation considers proposals to dispense with procedural requirements of building regulations for the following types of building work to existing buildings: building work related to the drilling of holes through internal fire-resisting walls for fibre optic cabling and work related to the installation and repair of mobile communications masts. For these activities, the current building control procedural requirements may be unreasonable and disproportionate and can direct regulatory resources away from the types of building work that carry higher risk, such as new builds and remediation projects.
The proposed changes would streamline procedural steps at building control approval, construction or completion certificate stage for these defined works, while retaining safeguards where they matter most. For all the proposed changes, dutyholders, defined as individuals or organisations that are assigned specific responsibilities at particular phases of the building life cycle, would still be required to ensure that building work complies with technical/functional requirements of the Building Regulations 2010. The consultation invites evidence and views on these proposals, with detailed reasoning provided in the referenced sections.
Further details about the consultation can be found herewww.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-proportionality-and-safety-outcomes-in-building-control-telecommunications-work
Closed
24 Mar 2026
Contact
buildingregulationsconsultation@communities.gov.uk
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