The Alumno scheme at Elephant and Castle highlights how Building Safety Regulator decisions are beginning to move more swiftly through the approvals system.
Designed by Maccreanor Lavington, the development will deliver 244 student bedrooms on a constrained brownfield site beside the railway arches on Rockingham and Tiverton Street. HG Construction is expected to start work on the brick-clad tower early in the New Year.
The project adds further momentum for HG, following the contractor’s completion of a 13-week Gateway 2 process for Morro’s co-living scheme in Hackney — currently understood to be the fastest approval achieved to date. Further Gateway 2 approvals have also been secured across London, Manchester and Leeds.
HG Construction chief executive Adam Quinn said the company is closing out the year with eight Gateway 2 approvals, underlining the quality of its submissions and the strength of its delivery teams, and leaving the business in a strong position heading into 2026.
Quinn said the year fell into two clear phases, with initial uncertainty across the industry giving way to a steady flow of approvals from May onwards, after HG secured its first sign-off at Medlock Street in Manchester.
During the second half of 2025, the contractor went on to secure seven further approvals, many within significantly shorter timeframes. Quinn attributed this improvement to sustained engagement with the regulator, closer collaboration across internal teams, and the application of lessons learned from each previous submission.
He said: “We have welcomed the regulator’s willingness to engage in an open and collaborative process, with a dedicated point of contact providing regular communication and feedback.
“With every submission, we have built on earlier experience, refining the information provided to ensure it is clear, relevant and fully aligned with the Regulator’s guidance.”
Quinn added that while adapting to the Building Safety Act has presented a major challenge for the industry, the reforms will ultimately deliver long-term benefits.
“Looking ahead, I am confident that 2026 will see many more Gateway 2 submissions approved within much shorter timeframes. This will give the sector, clients and funders a much-needed boost in confidence, along with greater certainty over delivery programmes and overall scheme viability.”
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