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

Call to bolster powers of strategic authorities

By Martin Ford | 29 January 2026

Strategic authorities require more freedoms and capacity to drive growth and reform, a think-tank has urged.

PLANNING

The challenges, opportunities and risks of devo

By Martin Ford | 29 January 2026

The Government’s drive for devolution is set to radically alter the landscape of local government. The National Audit Office (NAO) and The MJ brought togethe...

PLANNING

Why councils need an integrated asset and finance platform

By Gladstone Brohier | 29 January 2026

When asset and finance functions are unified, councils gain clarity, confidence and control, writes Gladstone Brohier.

PLANNING

Good job we've been practising partnership working

By Mike Dearing | 29 January 2026

As the local government sector undergoes widespread change, the forging of relationships will be as important as the structures that emerge, writes Mike Dear...

Popular articles by Mark Whitehead