If you’re confused about your responsibilities under the new Building Safety Act, you’re not alone. Since October 2023, every project requiring Building Control approval must appoint a Principal Designer (Building Regulations) before it starts on site. This has left many developers, contractors, and clients unsure of where to turn.
Urban Edge is here to make it simple. Our specialist PD-BR team guides you through every step, making sure you meet your legal obligations and understand them, too.
What is the PD-BR role?
The PD-BR role was introduced to improve competence across the whole industry and clarity following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. It’s now a legal requirement under the Building Safety Act 2022. If a client fails to appoint a PD-BR, the role defaults to themselves.
But here’s where it gets tricky, as it is easily confused with the Principal Designer (CDM) who covers health and safety. They are actually different roles, but both are needed. That’s where Urban Edge comes in, as we act as the Principal Designer (Building Regulations) covering the following:
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Review the design for Building Regulation compliance
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Help you put together a competent design and construction team
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Track Building Regulation compliance documents and key design decisions made throughout the project
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Help you to fulfil your legal duties as a client and prepare for occupation of the space
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Provide the 'Golden Thread' of information for handover to the client
Let’s talk about your next building project!
If you’re working on a project that needs Building Control approval, or you’re just not sure, contact us now.
We can help you understand what’s required and how to integrate compliance into your plan.
Trusted, qualified and registered
Our PD-BR lead, Thomas Baines, is officially registered with the Association for Project Safety (APS). He has years of experience delivering compliant, technically sound buildings. He has led the creation of our internal PD-BR toolkits and regularly supports clients on both standard and high-risk projects.
Urban Edge’s full PD-BR team is trained through the APS, and we’re fully accredited with:
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ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management
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ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management
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CHAS Designer and Principal Designer certifications
Trusted, qualified and registered
Our PD-BR lead, Thomas Baines, is officially registered with the Association for Project Safety (APS). He has years of experience delivering compliant, technically sound buildings. He has led the creation of our internal PD-BR toolkits and regularly supports clients on both standard and high-risk projects.
Urban Edge’s full PD-BR team is trained through the APS, and we’re fully accredited with:
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ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management
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ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management
-
CHAS Designer and Principal Designer certifications
Why choose Urban Edge?
Most clients don’t have the technical knowledge. However, the law now states that you are responsible for ensuring your team does. This is where Urban Edge adds real value. Our role includes:
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Educating clients on their duties so nothing gets missed
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Reviewing the competence of Designers and Contractors against the specific PD-BR guidelines PAS 8670/8672
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Planning, monitoring, and recording compliance
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Guiding contractors on their own responsibilities
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Creating clear documentation so you’re covered throughout the project
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Tracking and managing risk
Our clients have told us they were relieved to find someone who could take this off their plate. Others didn’t realise how serious the legal responsibilities had become until we pointed them out.
What’s included in our PD-BR service?
When you work with Urban Edge, you’re getting a complete, structured approach to compliance that supports you from start to finish. We’ve compiled a suite of tools and documents that clarify, streamline and align the process with the new legislation.
Client care letter
We provide a tailored client care letter that clearly explains your legal responsibilities under the Building Safety Act. To ensure your team is up to the task, we use a bespoke Skills, Knowledge & Experience (SKE) questionnaire. This helps to identify gaps early and confirms the competence of all appointed professionals within the project team.
Building compliance tracker
Throughout the project, we utilise our building compliance tracker, a live document that maps regulatory milestones, including fire strategy, ventilation, accessibility and commissioning items. Alongside this, we maintain a design decision log that records all crucial choices made during the design phase, forming a vital part of the ‘Golden Thread’, the record of safety decisions.
Construction control plan
As construction progresses, we implement a construction control plan to make sure everything is happening as planned. We also put together a fire and emergency file that includes information required under your Regulation 38 requirement, this handover documentation ensures you’re ready to take on legal responsibility once the building is complete.
All of these elements come together to ensure your project is safe, future-proofed and ready to meet scrutiny long after handover.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if your project requires Building Control approval, as this has been a legal requirement since October 2023.
No, the CDM PD focuses on health and safety under the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015. PD-BR focuses specifically on Building Regulations compliance.
They may be responsible for some parts, but you still carry legal responsibility for appointing a competent PD-BR and ensuring the process is followed.
Failing to meet your obligations can lead to enforcement notices, stop notices, or even criminal prosecution. Having the right team will prevent all this.
Get in touch…
Any questions? Please contact us, details below. Catch our news on social media.
PHONE
01780 755 665
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