February 13, 2025
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Safer Sphere is proud to announce that we have successfully secured Building Control Approval from the Building Safety Regulator for three new buildings at Dyecoats, part of Latimer Developments’ major regeneration project, located on Kirkstall Road in Leeds.
This approval marks a significant milestone for Safer Sphere in supporting clients in delivering safe, compliant, and sustainable developments under the Building Safety Act 2022.
As Building Regulations Principal Designer and Client Building Safety Advisor to Latimer (the development arm of Clarion Housing Group), Safer Sphere has played a critical role in navigating the UK’s new regulatory landscape, ensuring compliance with the stringent safety requirements introduced under the amended Building Regulations.
The Building Control approval process, overseen by the Building Safety Regulator, represents a key statutory checkpoint, known as Gateway Two, that must be passed before construction can commence on higher-risk buildings. It involves an in-depth assessment of the proposed design to verify compliance.
Alan Dargue, Principal Building Safety Consultant, has played a key role in leading Safer Sphere’s involvement in the project, working closely with the wider project team to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. Reflecting on the achievement, he shares:
Steering this complex and technically challenging project, consisting of three different tower blocks, through a new and quickly evolving legislative landscape has been both challenging and rewarding. It has been a pleasure to work alongside the whole design team and Latimer, who embraced the new regime from day one and have worked tirelessly to provide the necessary designs and specifications. I look forward to continuing this collaborative approach through the construction phase and Gateway 3.
The Dyecoats development at Kirkstall Road is a landmark residential-led, mixed-use scheme that will transform a long-dormant site into a thriving, sustainable community. The project reflects Latimer’s commitment to quality housing while setting new benchmarks for safety, sustainability, and placemaking. Positioned along the River Aire, the scheme will introduce a modern ‘urban village’ concept, integrating private residences and shared social spaces.
Graham King, Director of Building Safety at Safer Sphere, emphasises the significance of this achievement.
At Safer Sphere, our mission is to create safer environments where residents feel secure in their homes. With our in-house expertise in building regulations, we have played a crucial role in obtaining this milestone approval. This is a significant step in enhancing resident safety and helping the industry navigate evolving compliance standards. This achievement reflects our team’s steadfast expertise and commitment to providing top-quality safety solutions for higher-risk buildings.
This approval is a testament to the collective expertise and diligence of the entire project team—designers, developers, consultants, and regulators—who worked closely with the client to uphold the highest safety and compliance standards.
Lewis Duff, Managing Director of Safer Sphere, acknowledges the collective efforts behind this achievement:
This approval is a huge landmark achievement, giving us comfort that our rigorous process and procedures align with the BSR's expectations. It is clear that to achieve this milestone, the entire project team must be engaged in the process, and the level of detail is critical!
Safer Sphere remains at the forefront of construction and building safety, ensuring that projects meet and exceed evolving regulatory standards. As the Building Safety Act 2022 continues to reshape the industry, we are committed to driving excellence, setting new benchmarks for compliance, and supporting the sector in delivering safer, high-quality buildings for the future.
Edward Pavilion,
Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 4AF