Current Government Consultations - February 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

Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This consultation seeks views on the usability of the draft consolidated Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance.

A draft version of the guidance has been published alongside this consultation. Both documents should be read together.

This consultation closes on 10 March 2026.

Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance - GOV.UK

Reduce smoke emissions from solid fuel burning – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Government are seeking views on proposals to reduce smoke emissions and fine particulate matter emissions (PM2.5) from solid fuel burning. This includes proposals on:

• new stove emission limits
• labelling of stoves and fuels
• increasing penalties for non-compliance of existing regulations

This consultation closes on 19 March 2026.

Reduce smoke emissions from solid fuel burning - GOV.UK

Local transport authorities and the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles – Department for Transport

The Department for Transport is seeking feedback on the potential benefits and challenges of making all local transport authorities (LTAs) in England responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing.

The consultation focuses on the impact this would have on:

• local authorities
• taxi and PHV businesses
• passengers

This consultation closes on 1 April 2026.

Local transport authorities and the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles - GOV.UK

National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and HM Treasury

This consultation seeks views on a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). A draft NPPF has been published alongside this consultation and both documents should be read together.

They are also seeking views on:

• data centres and onsite energy generation
• standardised inputs in viability assessments
• reforming site thresholds

This consultation closes on 10 March 2026.

National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system - GOV.UK

Visitor levy in England – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and HM Treasury

The government is giving Mayoral Strategic Authorities in England the power to create local overnight visitor levies.

They are seeking views on the design of the new power including:

• whether Foundation Strategic Authorities should also have the power to create overnight visitor levies
• how any revenues collected should be used
• the types of accommodation that will and will not be included
• how levy rates should be calculated and the powers Strategic Authorities have to change them
• what Strategic Authorities need to do to introduce a levy and to change it?
• liability for the levy and how this will be assessed
• the administrative framework for overnight visitor levies, including options to minimise regulatory requirements
• equalities impacts?

This consultation closes on 18 February 2026.

Visitor levy in England - GOV.UK

Common biomass sustainability framework – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

This consultation is seeking views on the development of a common biomass sustainability framework, which includes proposals for strengthening existing biomass sustainability criteria in line with latest evidence as well as improvements to current monitoring, reporting and verification practices, and sets out guiding principles for addressing non-compliance. It aims to provide a consistent view on biomass sustainability across all relevant bioenergy sectors.

This consultation closes on 27 February 2026.

Common biomass sustainability framework - GOV.UK

Gas system in transition: security of supply – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

This consultation is inviting views and supporting evidence on the government’s assessment of the priorities for gas security of supply during the transition, and the associated challenges facing the gas sector. It sets out a range of proposed policy actions that government are considering in order to protect gas security in the years ahead.

This covers:

• government understanding of the changing patterns of gas supply and demand and how they expect these to evolve during the energy transition, including the continuing need for peak-day capacity
• a three-point plan for gas security of supply

This consultation closes on 18 February 2026.

Gas system in transition: security of supply - GOV.UK

Consultation on the Introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) – HM Treasury

At Budget 2025, the government announced electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED): a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, which will take effect from April 2028. This consultation sets out further detail on how eVED will work and seeks views its design and implementation.

This consultation closes on 18 March 2026.

Consultation on the Introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) - GOV.UK