<p>The government is to undertake a “comprehensive and wide ranging”review of the Building Regulations, in response to industry concerns that the current system is proving increasingly unworkable. Angela Smith, the Communities and Local Government (CLG) minister responsible for regulations, told Housebuilder that she recognised the system “needed to be reformed”and had begun looking into the “principles and requirements for building standards”in a paper published at the end of March. Smith said: “I know that the nature and frequency of recent changes in the regulations has affected the industry’s ability to implement the requirements. That’s why I’m considering how we could move rapidly to an updating process that is less piecemeal.” </p> <p>She added: “I want to explore the scope for simplification to reduce the burden associated with compliance. One option I want to explore is moving to a longer fixed cycle of Building Regulation reviews, which would make it easier for industry to plan.” Smith said the government would further develop its ideas for regulatory reform outlined in the March paper “following a full consultation with stakeholders later in the year.” NHBC building control manager Neil Cooper commented: “The government appears to have listened to the industry’s desire for a …