FPS: regulatory delays risk stalling housing as infrastructure pipeline grows

The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) has welcomed the government’s £725 billion 10-year infrastructure programme but warned that ongoing regulatory delays and skills shortages could undermine delivery of housing and major projects.

In a statement, FPS chair Malcolm O’Sullivan said the creation of the new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) offered “long-awaited clarity” on national priorities, citing the Lower Thames Crossing as an example of long-term schemes finally moving forward. Smaller-scale housing and private development also showed signs of recovery, he noted.

But O’Sullivan cautioned that the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) was creating significant bottlenecks. Gateway 2 approvals, intended to take 12 weeks, are now averaging closer to nine months, contributing directly to a sharp fall in housing permissions in the first quarter of 2025.

“The process, while well-intentioned in its focus on safety, risks undermining the delivery of the very homes and infrastructure the country so urgently needs,” he said.

FPS is working with industry partners to ease pressure by promoting staged approvals for Gateway 2 applications. The federation is calling for piling works to be included at stage 1, allowing enabling and foundation works to begin while the remainder of building design continues through the approvals process. Guidance is expected later this year.

O’Sullivan also highlighted concerns around workforce capacity, with shortages in engineering and on-site technical roles emerging as a real constraint. Even when projects secure funding and planning, he said, the lack of skilled expertise risks further delays, stretching programmes and adding cost.

Despite the challenges, O’Sullivan remained cautiously optimistic: “The demand for housing, the commitment to infrastructure, and the industry’s collective determination all remain strong. If we can address the regulatory and workforce challenges with urgency and pragmatism, the second half of the year could see momentum return, not just for our members, but for the wider built environment sector.”