MHCLG has on 24 September 2026 published GUIDANCE setting out information for two-tier authorities in England about transitioning their PLAN MAKING to single tier unitary authorities.

An EU Consultation published on 15 September 2026 seeks feedback on its adopted Regulation to modernise and simplify the EU rules on public contracts.

A House of Commons Environment etc Committee Consultation on 16 September 2026 seeks views on flooding emergency responses.

A House of Commons Environment etc Committee Consultation on 16 September 2026 seeks views on flooding emergency responses.

A House of Commons Library Briefing published on 14 September 2026 discusses Planning Policy for Green Belts and reforms under the NPPF.

DEFRA has on Bastille Day 2026 published BIODIVERSITY GAINS REGULATIONS, S.I. 2026/790. Laid before Parliament on 13 July 2026, and coming into force on 6 August 2026, amending MANDATORY BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR PROJECTS REQUIRING PLANNING PERMISSION, including an EXEMPTION for smallest developments.

A Climate Change Committee Report, published on 8 July 2026, provides advice on what the Seventh Carbon Budget means at local level. It highlights action that local authorities can take in order to support the delivery of the 2050 NET ZERO TARGET.

The EIR impose a duty to make available environmental information that a public authority “ holds 2.  In INFORMATION COMMISSIONER v O’HANLON (2026) EWCA Civ 838 the Court of Appeal holds that the date for determining what information is held is when the authority receives the request for information.

The Town & Country Planning ( Discharge of LPA Functions ) ( England ) Regulations 2026 will come into force on 31 October 2026. They set out a NATIONAL SCHEME OF DELEGATION for planning decisions which must be followed by all relevant LPAs. There are types of planning applications which MUST ALWAYS BE DELEGATED TO PLANNING OFFICERS and other types which MAY be referred to a Planning Committee or Sub-Committee for determination. They also set out a MAXIMUM NUMBER OF MEMBERS who may sit on a Planning Committee.

MHCLG has, on 1 June 2026, published GUIDANCE explaining how LPAs in England should implement the NATIONAL SCHEME of Delegation of Planning Functions, scheduled to come into force on 31 October 2026.