Weekly planning news

Government introduces new permitted development rights for cross-pavement EV charging 

Drivers in England without a driveway can now benefit from easier access to home electric vehicle (EV) charging, following changes that came into force on 21 October 2026. Drivers no longer need planning permission for qualifying cross-pavement charging solutions, which use channels embedded in pavements to carry charging cables from homes to vehicles parked on the street. 

The government estimates this could save homeowners up to £300 on installation, with home charging costing as little as 2p per mile. 

The changes were introduced through amendments to the General Permitted Development Order, which sets out the types of development that can take place without an individual planning application. 

The new right covers the installation, alteration or replacement of a cross-pavement solution by, on behalf of, or with the authorisation of the relevant highway authority. It does not allow residents to install channels independently.  

The right also excludes conservation areas, sites designated as scheduled monuments and the curtilage of listed buildings. When a solution is no longer needed, it must be removed and the pavement reinstated to its previous condition as soon as reasonably practicable. 

Separate highway authorisation and any other necessary street works permissions remain in place. The change therefore removes the need for a planning application where the permitted development conditions are met, but does not remove other approval requirements for installation. 

The wider amendments also extend permitted development rights for certain domestic EV charging outlets and upstands to areas within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or block of flats beyond those used for off-street parking, subject to specific conditions and limitations. 

The changes come as UK electric car sales rose by 36% year on year in September 2026, with nearly 100,000 sold during the month, according to government figures. 

For further information, visit the government website¹. 

Councils gain wider powers to recover building control costs 

Local authorities in England will be able to recover costs for a wider range of building control activities under new regulations coming into force on 6 November 2026. 

The regulations replace rules introduced in 2010 and expand the functions for which councils can charge on a full cost-recovery basis. The changes were subject to a government consultation on building control charges, notices and certificates². 

Additional chargeable activities include accepting, rejecting or considering notices and certificates submitted by private-sector Registered Building Control Approvers; carrying out tests to check compliance with Building Regulations; issuing notices concerning defective premises, dangerous buildings, ruinous and dilapidated buildings and neglected sites; and taking action relating to the demolition of buildings. Councils can also charge for exercising powers of entry by authorised officers, securing compliance with the Building Act 1984 or Building Regulations, and imposing sanctions for breaches of these requirements. 

Councils must publish their charging schemes on their websites at least seven days before they take effect and publicise the scheme’s commencement date and where it can be inspected. Recoverable costs may include a reasonable proportion of overheads, depreciation and the cost of capital. Local authorities must also publish annual statements online setting out charges paid, costs incurred and any resulting surplus or deficit. 

Existing charging schemes will remain in force until updated under the new regulations. Most provisions come into force on 6 November 2026, while Regulation 11 takes effect on 24 March 2027 for most cases and 24 September 2027 for higher-risk buildings. 

For further information, read the government’s circular on the new regulations³. 

11 London Housing Associations set out recommendations for future delivery

The G15, a group representing 11 of London’s largest housing associations, has outlined a series of recommendations for the draft London Plan⁴, covering affordable housing, long-term housing quality and development viability. 

In its response to the London Plan consultation, the group called for housing delivery to be considered alongside the long-term management and maintenance of homes. 

The G15 said the plan should maintain a focus on social rent, family-sized homes, accessible housing and supported accommodation, with funding to support the delivery of genuinely affordable homes. 

The group also highlighted factors affecting the long-term cost and quality of housing, including energy performance, accessibility, maintenance and service charges. 

On development viability, the G15 called for the combined impact of affordable housing targets, building safety, accessibility, energy performance, design and infrastructure requirements to be assessed together. 

It also recommended involving housing associations earlier in Section 106 agreements, which can secure affordable housing within new developments. This would give providers an opportunity to contribute to decisions on tenure, design, specifications, service charges and management arrangements. 

The group further highlighted the importance of infrastructure funding, clear delivery plans and consistent planning guidance across London boroughs to support housing development. 

For further information, read the G15’s response to the draft London Plan⁵. 

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/drivers-to-save-up-to-300-when-installing-ev-chargers-at-home-as-government-slashes-unnecessary-red-tape
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/building-control-charges-notices-and-certificates/outcome/building-charges-reform-government-response-to-the-consultation
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-building-local-authority-charges-and-amendments-relating-to-charging-england-regulations-2026-circular-052026
4. https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/planning/london-plan/next-london-plan/draft-london-plan-consultation
5. https://g15.london/g15-responds-to-the-gla-on-its-draft-london-plan/