The  Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its planning policy guidance (PPG) on the effective use of land, detailing how to apply paragraph 125c (substantial weight to brownfield land proposals) of the National Planning Policy Framework in decision-making.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) on green belts, reflecting the revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2024, which introduced the concept of the grey belt.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its planning practice guidance (PPG) on protecting and enhancing the natural environment. The updated PPG adds four new paragraphs (044-047) focusing on Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS). These paragraphs outline the statutory framework for LNRS, the role and responsibilities of local planning authorities (LPAs) in preparing LNRS, and how LPAs should have regard to LNRS in decision-making. In addition, the update revises existing paragraphs (009-011), which clarify the statutory basis for biodiversity conservation and enhancement, the legal duty of LPAs to have regard to LNRS in biodiversity planning, and the evidence required for identifying and mapping local ecological networks.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published updated guidance on cost recovery under the Infrastructure Planning (Fees) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/106 to reflect that local authorities may recover costs from 8 June 2026. The guidance explains the cost recovery arrangements available to the Planning Inspectorate and public authorities under regulations 2A and 12A of the Infrastructure Planning (Fees) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/106, including the circumstances in which fees may be charged for services provided in relation to nationally significant infrastructure projects.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published an updated version of its ‘Improving planning performance: Criteria for designation’ guidance document, along with a revised explanatory memorandum. Following a public consultation in 2024, the period for assessing local planning authorities' (LPAs) decision making speed on applications for major and non-major developments was reduced from two years to one year, effective from the period ending September 2024. This change aims to ensure that the data used for designation decisions is more current and responsive to performance changes.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its tenant-facing guidance on possession proceedings in the social rented sector in England. The revised guidance clarifies that the tenancy reforms introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025) do not apply to assured tenancies of social housing provided by private registered providers until October 2027, meaning that the existing possession framework continues to apply in the meantime. It also reflects that private landlords can no longer apply for a county court possession order using a section 8 or section 21 notice served before 1 May 2026, updates information on notices, review rights, possession grounds, court proceedings, discrimination and public law challenges, and the availability of free legal advice through the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service. In addition, MHCLG has published new guidance for private registered providers of social housing explaining the possession process that will continue to apply before the RRA 2025 reforms are extended to assured social housing tenancies from October 2027.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its guide to the Renters' Rights Bill to capture changes made during its passage through the House of Commons. The legislation, introduced on 11 September 2024, aims to fulfil the government's manifesto pledge to reform private renting in England. Key provisions include the abolition of Section 21 'no fault' evictions, designed to enhance security and stability for the nation's 11 million private renters. The Bill also seeks to improve conditions for the 2.3 million landlords, balancing the rights and responsibilities of both parties in the rental market.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published updated versions of Approved Document B (fire safety), covering both volume 1 (dwellings) and volume 2 (buildings other than dwellings). These versions consolidate the 2019 editions with amendments from 2020 and 2022, and incorporate future amendments for 2025, 2026, and 2029. The 2025, 2026, and 2029 amendments include provisions for installing sprinklers in all new care homes and the withdrawal of the national classes fire testing standards (BS 476 fire tests), while retaining the European standard (BS EN 13501). The MHCLG has also published a new guidance page, comprising a collection of historical documents related to Approved Document B, including previous versions that are no longer in use, associated FAQs, and archived amendment booklets.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a working paper, outlining proposed reforms to planning committees in England. The paper proposes three main reforms: introducing a national scheme of delegation, establishing a new system of targeted committees for strategic development, and implementing mandatory training for committee members. These proposals aim to streamline the planning process and ensure appropriate democratic oversight. If these proposed reforms are taken forward, they would necessitate changes to primary legislation through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, with any implemented changes subject to further detailed consultation. There is no set deadline, and the MHCLG will announce the next steps for these proposals in due course.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a working paper, proposing reforms to site thresholds in the planning system to better support housing delivery across different types of sites. The paper proposes a gradated approach, with three separate thresholds: minor (fewer than ten dwellings), medium (between ten and 49 dwellings), and major (50 or more dwellings). It explores how each threshold should be treated and seeks views on: (1) streamlining disproportionate requirements for small and medium sites; (2) introducing a new ‘medium’ threshold for development; and (3) strengthening requirements for larger, strategic sites. The deadline for responses is 9 July 2025, with responses intended to inform a formal consultation later in 2025.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a working paper, seeking views on reforming the consenting process for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). The paper focuses on potential legislative amendments, primarily to the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008). The MHCLG has not set a formal deadline and will announce the next steps for these proposals in due course.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published the ninth annual report on devolution, collating information on devolution agreements, covering the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The report details devolution agreements reached with local areas and financial resources transferred to mayoral combined authorities during the reporting period. The document provides a comprehensive overview of England's devolution landscape and implementation progress over the past year.