Title

PLANNING

Short-term lets to need planning permission

The Government has announced new rules to give communities greater control over short-term lets in their areas.

The Government has announced new rules to give communities greater control over short-term lets in their areas.

A consultation by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities proposed introducing a requirement for planning permission to be gained for a home to be used as a short-term let.

It said this would help support local people in areas where high numbers of holiday lets are preventing them from finding affordable housing.

The new proposals come as the Department for Culture, Media & Sport launched a separate consultation on a new registration scheme for short-term lets, aimed at finding out how many there are and where they are located.

Local government secretary Michael Gove said: ‘Tourism brings many benefits to our economy but in too many communities we have seen local people pushed out of cherished towns, cities and villages by huge numbers of short-term lets.

‘I'm determined we ensure more people have access to local homes at affordable prices and that we prioritise families desperate to rent or buy a home of their own close to where they work.'

PLANNING

A rocket booster has been fired under the tax devo debate

By David Phillips | 23 March 2026

Letting combined authorities benefit from a share of income tax revenue growth could encourage a bigger focus on skills and might be a stepping stone to part...

PLANNING

The truth about poverty

By Cllr Una O'Halloran | 23 March 2026

Leader of Islington LBC Una O’Halloran explains how the council is handing power to local communities through London’s first Poverty Truth Commission.

PLANNING

Shadow minister warns devolution Bill will 'die' without talks

By Dan Peters | 20 March 2026

Opposition politicians have warned the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will fall unless the Government listens to their concerns.

PLANNING

Beyond the safety net: Embedding prevention at the core of social care reform

By Tom Stannard | 20 March 2026

If we are serious about building sustainable public services and improving outcomes for our communities, early intervention cannot remain a long-term ambitio...

Popular articles by Mark Whitehead