The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has opened the second round of the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund to give grant funding to local authorities in nutrient neutrality catchments. DLUHC is seeking proposals for locally-led nutrient mitigation schemes from affected local authorities and asks that they submit a completed template for costed expression of interest for such programmes. The goal is to enable housing delivery in catchments of Habitats Sites impacted by nutrient pollution. DLUHC is asking for capital bids of up to £10m (from a single catchment or an area where two catchments overlap). Funding will take the form of a grant, which DLUHC will pay directly to a lead local planning authority for catchment-level working.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published a letter from the Housing Secretary, Michael Gove, to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, directing Khan to conduct a partial review of the London Plan. The review will focus on industrial land, and the planning system related restrictions holding back development, as well as the 47 opportunity areas that were previously identified as able to deliver at least 2,500 houses but have thus far made limited progress. Gove has also requested consideration of the effectiveness of a single planning framework that would aid in accelerating development. Gove has instructed the Greater London Authority to report on the findings of this review in September 2024.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published the response to its consultation which sought views on the design and implementation of the Building Safety Levy (BSL). The DLUHC has also launched a secondary technical consultation on the BSL with a focus on the methodology for levy calculation, the collection process, disputes and appeals as well as further exclusions. This consultation will close on 20 February 2024.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published the Commissioners’ third report on the intervention at Nottingham City Council, together with the accompanying ministerial response. Updated Commissioner appointment letters and a revised Explanatory Memorandum have also been published. The third report notes progress continuing to be made while highlighting key challenges ahead, with the Commissioner team to reflect on future support and provide recommendations in their final scheduled report in December 2026. The ministerial response highlights the need to strengthen leadership behaviours and member–officer relations, use effective risk management and internal audit, ensure timely delivery of budgeted savings, and progress Local Government Reorganisation and a balanced 2026/27 budget. The Secretary of State has also announced changes of roles within the existing Commissioner team, appointing Sharon Kemp as Lead Commissioner with continued support from Tony McArdle OBE and Margaret Lee. Commissioners are scheduled to leave when the existing Directions end on 22 February 2026.

The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published the Improvement and Assurance Board’s (IAB) final report of its review of Nottingham City Council (NCC). IAB was commissioned to review Nottingham City Council’s response to the report by Max Caller CBE, and oversee, monitor, guide and advise the Council in the delivery of its Improvement and Recovery Plan. IAB focuses on areas of NCC’s failure, which include governance, finance, transformation, companies, strategic and corporate planning and human resources. IAB has concluded by noting that there is a concern that NCC ‘has still not fully accepted the gravity of the situation’ and that its financial position ‘remains a very serious one’. IAB expresses disappointment ‘at the pace of change’ in NCC.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published a number of Q&As providing answers to questions regarding changes to the building control process for higher-risk buildings, as well as the wider changes to the procedural building regulations in England. The topics covered are transitional provisions, statutory consultations, work in existing higher-risk buildings, enforcement and lapse of plans.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published draft guidance on application of cost recovery mechanisms which were introduced through the Infrastructure Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 SI 2024/333. The draft guidance provides further details about the purpose, effect and functioning of the regulations for applicants and public bodies.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published the government’s response to its consultation on the consenting process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP). The responses to the consultation were largely in favour of the proposals and in the government’s response it has noted that it will be proceeding with many of those proposals put forward, with some changes, and will continue to consider responses received in future policy development.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published the government’s response to the consultation on directions to Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) on tenant rights and complaints. The government has agreed to issue directions requiring the RSH to require social housing providers to provide tenants with information about their rights and relevant regulatory requirements. These directions will help the RSH to hold landlords accountable and will come into force April 2024.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published guidance explaining the Building Safety Fund (BSF) process. The guidance sets out the main stages of the BSF process and provides an indication of the timeframes for each of the stages (and factors which may affect these timeframes). It also highlights that the person or organisation responsible for the remediation is expected to keep residents of the building updated on progress, delays and next steps at each stage of the process and on request.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) has published guidance on the development consent process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP). Guidance has been produced for applicants undertaking the pre-application stage, the pre-examination stage, and the fast track route to consent. The pre-application and pre-examination guidance sets out the requirements and expectations in the preparation of an application for development consent. The fast-track guidance explains how the fast-track route for NSIP is intended to operate, so that applicants can understand what is required of them in making the choice of whether to apply for a fast-tracked consent.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published guidance on cost recovery by the Planning Inspectorate and public authorities in relation to amendments to the Infrastructure Planning (Fees) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/106. The guidance should be read alongside the existing Planning Act 2008: Infrastructure Planning (Fees) Regulations 2010 guidance which provides that the Secretary of State and specific designated public authorities may charge fees for specific services related to applications or proposed applications for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.