Burnley Council has opened a six-week consultation on proposals to remove permitted development rights for converting single dwellings into small HMOs in six wards. If approved, the change would give the council greater control over HMO numbers and distribution, with implementation currently expected from September 2027.
The Building Safety Regulator has softened its approach to rejecting Gateway 2 applications, saying it will still refuse sub-standard submissions but only where there is no realistic prospect of approval. The change appears intended to reduce the risk of unnecessary project disruption while maintaining scrutiny of building safety compliance.
Warrington Borough Council’s Pyramid Arts Centre redevelopment has been hit by delays, cost increases and a payment dispute with the contractor. The council is seeking legal advice and has acknowledged that payments above the originally authorised level may raise authority issues, while the project continues toward handover and reopening.
The Environment Agency has updated its guidance on environmental permits for radioactive substances regulation at nuclear sites, including new sections on case-specific exemptions and related variation forms. The update also clarifies when a permit may be needed for mobile radioactive apparatus used away from a nuclear site and refreshes contact information.
The Regulator of Social Housing has updated its guidance on how it investigates suspected serious failings and decides whether to take regulatory or enforcement action. The update reflects the introduction of the Competence and Conduct Standard and explains how the regulator assesses concerns, gathers information, and chooses from its range of powers.
The administrations of eight collapsed ISG companies have been extended for a further two years, meaning the insolvency process is now expected to continue until at least September 2028. Administrators at EY say the extra time is needed to deal with outstanding claims, creditor payments and the large volume of records associated with the group’s collapse.
Sheffield City Council says the Event Central redevelopment in Fargate has been delayed after the site’s electricity supply was disconnected following identification of an unsafe connection. The £14.4m Willmott Dixon scheme, which involves major refurbishment and structural alterations to a former retail building, is now expected to open in 2027 rather than this year.
The Environment Agency has published a form for varying a bespoke radioactive substances environmental permit on a nuclear site to add or amend disposal by case specific exemption. The notice explains that this exemption applies to low-risk waste and that applicants must also complete Parts RSR A and RSR F.
The Regulator of Social Housing has updated its guidance on the requirements and regulatory approach for different types of landlord. The update mainly revises wording and reflects the introduction of the Competence and Conduct Standard.
Latest research cited in the article shows the number of residential buildings in England being monitored for potential cladding remediation has risen to 4,697, with increases across both mid-rise and high-rise stock. While more buildings are now in remediation or have completed works, a substantial pipeline remains, and the new Building Safety Levy is intended to help fund further remediation.
A software provider has warned that a significant share of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax products listed by HMRC cannot yet file the final annual tax return, even if they can submit quarterly updates. The article notes that landlords and agents should check software capability carefully, as the tax return function is a key part of compliance and not all products support the full range of income types.
The First-tier Tribunal dismissed an SDLT appeal concerning whether a pool house annex formed a separate single dwelling for multiple dwellings relief. HMRC successfully argued that the annex lacked the privacy, security and domestic functionality required to qualify, and the tribunal agreed the arrangement did not meet the test for a single dwelling.
