Native Communities - Building Safety Case Report Development

Native Communities (Native) are specialists in operating small to large-scale living, commercial, and
mixed-use developments. They create thriving and sustainable communities that consistently
outperform, delivering enhanced returns for their clients. 

Project Overview 

Native appointed our building safety consultancy team to support them with the development of a
comprehensive Building Safety Case Report (BSCR) for one of their higher-risk buildings, The Castings
in Manchester.

To ensure compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022, organisations must demonstrate the
effective management of building and structural safety by submitting a BSCR, resident engagement
strategy, and details of their mandatory occurrence reporting. 

Our Approach

Our role was to guide Native through the complete development of their BSCR, ensuring it was
prepared for submission to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as part of their future application for
a Building Assessment Certificate (BAC).

We began by conducting a detailed document review of all available building information, including
the built information, fire risk assessments, and technical documents, which were supplied by Native.
This was followed by information-gathering sessions with Native’s Head of Building Safety and those
who worked in the building day-to-day to fill in any gaps about the building.

Using the insights from this session, we created an initial draft of the BSCR, which Native reviewed
and provided feedback on. We then revised the BSCR using their input to finalise it to a high
standard, ensuring it was accurate, compliant, and tailored to the BSR’s expectations.
Once completed, all our BSCRs are internally quality assured to ensure they are robust,
comprehensive, and representative of the buildings’ building safety. Having previously worked
alongside Native on multiple BSCR projects, we have developed a trusted partnership and an
understanding of their operational approach, making the process efficient and effective.

When Native were called up by the BSR to apply for a BAC, the BSR requested additional clarification
on structural safety, a common theme emerging across the sector. We promptly addressed the
feedback requests, updated the report with further information supplied by Native alongside any of
the actions we had previously identified, and resubmitted it to the BSR. As a result, Native received a
successful BAC from the BSR.

Our methodology, expert knowledge, and refined BSCR template were central to this project’s
success. In particular, our key lines of enquiry document helped guide discussions, allowing us to
identify and fill information gaps early in the process, ensuring the final BSCR included all relevant
and accurate details.

“Following an in-depth review of Native Residential and the building-specific documentation, we
conducted information-gathering sessions with Amy Crow, Head of Building Safety at Native
Residential, to understand both their approach to building safety and the specifics of the site.

Using insights from the review and these sessions, we populated our template document with an
action plan addressing the gaps identified. This formed the basis of a comprehensive building safety
case report, demonstrating both fire and structural safety, which successfully secured a building
assessment certificate.

This outcome highlights that only through a robust approach, supported by accurate building information and a clear action plan to address safety gaps, can an organisation effectively
demonstrate its case for safety.” - Stewart Kerr, Principal Consultant at Pennington Choices 

Our Achievements

Native’s BSCR was created in less than a month, ensuring they were prepared for the BSR to call
them up to apply for a BAC. Following the BSR’s feedback, we made the required amendments within
a week once relative information was provided, enabling Native to successfully obtain their BAC.

This achievement was made possible by our experienced Principal Consultant in our building safety
team, who drew on his extensive knowledge from the BSR’s early-adopter programme, CIOB Level 6
Diploma in Building Safety Management, and continuous learning from sector peers and regulatory
updates. This proactive approach ensures our templates and processes always reflect the most
current expectations from the BSR.

Following the successful collaborative delivery of multiple projects, Native has chosen us as their
preferred partner for BSCR development, recognising the quality, expertise, and reliability we bring
to every project.

Client Testimonial

“Outstanding support from Pennington Choices was key to us achieving a Building Assessment
Certificate. Thanks to their deep understanding of regulatory requirements and meticulous attention
to detail, they provided an expertly written Safety Case Report that was thorough, clear, and fully
aligned with requirements. This was a crucial element in successfully securing a Building Assessment
Certificate for our client. Their professionalism, clear communication, and commitment to quality
made the entire process seamless. I would highly recommend Pennington Choices to anyone seeking
expert guidance in building safety and compliance.” - Head of Building Safety at Native Communities

Looking for support with developing or reviewing a building safety case report? Get in touch with our team of building safety experts who provide tailored support to help you develop a report, review an existing one, or conduct a gap analysis of your current building safety approach.