Current Government Consultations - April 2026

A brief summary of current government consultations of potential interest to RSN members. This is not intended as an exhaustive list of all relevant consultations.

- Download a printable version of the Government Consultations here

Planning committee reform: draft regulations and guidance – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This statutory consultation seeks views on the draft Regulations and guidance underpinning the government’s planning committee reforms from the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.

It covers the:

• delegation of planning decisions to officers
• size of planning committees

This consultation closes on 23 April 2026.

Planning committee reform: draft regulations and guidance - GOV.UK

Fees for planning applications – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This consultation seeks views on proposals to establish a new national default fee schedule for planning applications and on the principles of local fee setting.

This consultation closes on 18 May 2026.

Fees for planning applications - GOV.UK

Consulting the Secretary of State on planning decisions – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

We are seeking views on proposals that require Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to consult the Secretary of State on some planning decisions.

This consultation closes on 4 May 2026.

Consulting the Secretary of State on planning decisions - GOV.UK

Making public services work for you with your digital identity – Cabinet Office

This consultation seeks views on a proposed national digital ID system for British and Irish citizens and foreign nationals with permission to be in the UK.

Government state: “The government intends to introduce a national digital ID (identity document) system. This will sit at the heart of next-generation digital public services in the UK and support innovation in the wider economy. It will help unlock entirely new ways to offer goods and services, and be key to making people’s interactions with the state as efficient and useful as those they are accustomed to in the private sector, like online banking.”

This consultation closes on 5 May 2026.

Making public services work for you with your digital identity - GOV.UK

Permitted development rights for onshore wind turbines in England – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

The government is seeking views on several proposals for permitted development rights (PDRs) for onshore wind in England.

The government is proposing to not change existing domestic PDRs that apply to households or introduce a new PDR for repowering or community energy projects. However, they are seeking further views and feedback on further changes that could support these types of development.

This consultation closes on 10 June 2026.

Permitted development rights for onshore wind turbines in England - GOV.UK

Accelerating electricity network connections for strategic demand – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Government is seeking views on proposals to amend the connections process to address speculation and prioritise future capacity for strategic demand, including data centres.

This consultation closes on 15 April 2026.

Accelerating electricity network connections for strategic demand - GOV.UK

Proposals to prohibit trail hunting in England and Wales – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

This consultation invites views on the government’s proposed approach to legislating, including:

• how trail hunting should be defined for the purpose of a ban
• whether any other legislative changes are needed to ensure that a ban is effective
• the use of animal based scents in training dogs
• whether any other equestrian activities are at risk from being affected by the proposed ban on trail hunting
• how the introduction of a ban might affect dogs used for trail hunting

This consultation closes on 18 June 2026.

Proposals to prohibit trail hunting in England and Wales - GOV.UK

Moving to commonhold: banning leasehold for new flats – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

??This consultation sets out the government’s plans to introduce a ban on new leasehold flats. They are seeking views from industry and consumers on:

• the scope of the ban
• the case for exemptions from the ban
• how a ban on new leasehold flats should operate as part of our approach to moving to the reformed commonhold model
• when a ban on leasehold for new flats should start and what transitional arrangements might be needed
• the costs and benefits in moving to commonhold and complying with the ban

?They also invite feedback on the commonhold framework itself.?

This consultation closes on 24 April 2026.

Moving to commonhold: banning leasehold for new flats - GOV.UK

SEND reform: putting children and young people first – Department for Education

Government are consulting on proposals to reform the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.

The consultation document explains the changes they plan to make and asks for comments from everyone with an interest.

The changes aim to improve help and support for children and young people with SEND across the 0 to 25 years system.

This consultation closes on 18 May 2026.

SEND reform: putting children and young people first - GOV.UK