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

Creating a sustainable future for local government finance is essential

By Tracy Bingham | 25 March 2026

The LGiU's annual State of Local Government Finance survey makes clear that councils cannot raise sufficient revenue to meet the needs of their communities, ...

PLANNING

Tackling Incivility: A leadership priority for local government

By Robin Tuddenham | 25 March 2026

Robin Tuddenham says those working in local government are facing rising incivility, threats and behavioural challenges – and it is time for the sector to co...

PLANNING

Now it's time to seize the initiative

By Simon Kaye | 25 March 2026

Simon Kaye sees an opportunity for a sceptical sector to push hard for further devolution.

PLANNING

Ensuring Wigan has a big role to play in a digital future

By Cllr Nazia Rehman | 24 March 2026

Wigan is harnessing the regenerative power of AI with positive implications for the local economy, says Cllr Nazia Rehman.

Popular articles by Mark Whitehead