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 Consultationst here

The Future of the New Homes Bonus consultation – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

The New Homes Bonus was introduced in 2011 to provide an incentive for local authorities to encourage housing growth in their areas. The aim of the bonus was to provide a financial incentive to reward and encourage local authorities to help facilitate housing growth.

The government state that “the consultation covers a number of options for reforming the programme to provide an incentive which is more focused and targeted on ambitious housing delivery, complements the reforms outlined in the government’s Planning White Paper, and dovetails with the wider financial mechanisms the government is putting in place, including the infrastructure levy and the Single Housing Infrastructure Fund.”

This consultation closes on 7 April 2021.

The Future of the New Homes Bonus consultation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive: ensuring a stable scheme – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

This consultation sets out proposals for the closure of the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (DRHI) scheme to new applications on 31 March 2022. Last year the government extended the deadline for new applications to the DRHI to 31 March 2022, and the scheme will close, with the last payments being made, in 2029.

The proposed reforms seek to:

• simplify scheme administration and operational delivery
• improve the consumer experience for existing participants
• ensure robust management for the remainder of the DRHI payment term
• deliver ongoing value for money to the taxpayer

This consultation closes on 7 May 2021.

Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive: ensuring a stable scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

National Planning Policy Framework and National Model Design Code: consultation proposals – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This consultation seeks views on draft revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework. The text has been revised to implement policy changes in response to the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission “Living with Beauty” report.

A number of other changes to the text of the Framework are also set out and explained in this consultation document, but government are not proposing a review of the National Planning Policy Framework in its entirety at this stage. A fuller review of the Framework is likely to be required in due course, depending on the implementation of the government’s proposals for wider reform of the planning system.

This consultation is also seeking views on the draft National Model Design Code, which provides detailed guidance on the production of design codes, guides and policies to promote successful design.

The government is inviting expressions of interest from local planning authorities in England to test the National Model Design Code.

This consultation closes on 27 March 2021.

National Planning Policy Framework and National Model Design Code: consultation proposals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Local factors in managing flood and coastal erosion risk and property flood resilience: call for evidence – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Government are asking for evidence on how they can strengthen the assessment of local circumstances in the government’s future flood and coastal defence investment programme.

They are also looking for evidence to help identify actions to accelerate the uptake in property flood resilience and address barriers to progress.

They welcome responses from local authorities, risk management authorities, infrastructure delivery sectors, academic institutions, the private sector and experts.

This consultation closes on 29 March 2021.

Local factors in managing flood and coastal erosion risk and property flood resilience: call for evidence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Right to Regenerate: reform of the Right to Contest – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This consultation is to help to shape a reform of the Right to Contest, in order to encourage the right to be utilised more effectively and more widely to stimulate regeneration and the more productive use of land.

Strand 2 of the Community Right to Contest allows members of the public to request that the government directs the disposal of unused or underused land, including vacant homes and garages, owned by public bodies. This right is little-known and little-used, with only one direction to dispose issued since 2014.

The aim of this consultation is to strengthen the right and make it simpler to use as the new ‘Right to Regenerate’.

This consultation closes on 13 March 2021.

Right to Regenerate: reform of the Right to Contest - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)