Can I remove or move a wall in a high-rise flat?

In a higher-risk building in England, probably yes, but you need approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) before you start. GOV.UK classes any change to the internal layout as category A building work, and approval is needed for building work to an existing higher-risk building unless it is only exempt work, competent person scheme work or an emergency repair (GOV.UK).

It does not matter whether the wall is load-bearing

People often ask whether the wall is structural. For approval, the layout change itself is the trigger. Moving, removing or adding a wall or door changes the internal layout, so it falls into category A even if the wall carries no load. A structural wall adds structural questions on top.

Why BSR cares about walls

Category A also covers work involving passive fire safety measures and work that affects escape routes. Walls and doors in a flat can form part of the fire separation between your home and the corridor or your neighbours, and they shape how you leave the flat in a fire. A single wall change can therefore touch more than one category A item, for example when knocking through to create open-plan living.

What BSR will expect to see

The application is detailed. For a category A job it includes the proposed drawings and a description of the work, a building regulations compliance statement showing how the work will meet the regulations, a fire and emergency file (often called a fire strategy), and a declaration from the client that those working on the project are competent (GOV.UK). BSR also expects you to have carried out surveys or inspections to evidence how the work affects the existing building, and to avoid assumptions about the building.

What to do before you start

1. Confirm your building is higher-risk. See What is a higher-risk building?
2. Get advice from a competent contractor or other building control professional on what your wall change involves.
3. Check your lease. Your freeholder's consent is separate from BSR approval. See Lease consent, freeholder consent and BSR approval.
4. Do not start strip-out or demolition until approval is granted. Starting without it is a criminal offence, and the BSR can take up to 8 weeks to decide. See How long does BSR approval take?

Not sure whether your plans count? Try the BSR screener.

Sources: GOV.UK, Building control approval for higher-risk buildings (updated 1 October 2026); GOV.UK, Preparing information for a building control approval application (updated 1 October 2026).