The UK Government has opened a consultation which proposes amendments to permitted development rights that remove barriers to the installation of air-source heat pumps and charging points for electric vehicles. Changes to the rules on altering and extending properties are also put forward to ensure they provide flexibility for householders as well as change of use is encouraged to turn derelict and under-used buildings into new homes.

Calls for a planning system that is community and environmentally led whilst supporting levelling up across the country were heard at Westminster Hall debate put forward by Bob Seely, the Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight.

ARLA Propertymark has responded to the UK Governments consultation which seeks views on widening access and considering the scope of the database of rogue landlords and property agents.

We are pleased that the Government has consulted on banning orders in order to clarify what these offences will include, but we are concerned about the openness of the register and believe that being banned under Estate Agents Act 1979 should also constitute a banning order offence under the Housing and Planning Act 2016.