Gove to push for 'Airbnb planning permission' to allow locals to block short-term lets in their neighbourhood

19 February 2024, 00:05 | Updated: 19 February 2024, 00:06

GOVE
Michael Gove has proposed planning permission for short-term lets to prevent a "hollowing out of communities" by companies like AirBnB. Picture: Alamy

By Chay Quinn

Michael Gove has proposed planning permission for short-term lets to prevent a "hollowing out of communities" by houses being listed on website like AirBnb

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The new law would introduce a new "use" category for holiday lets which would require permission from local councils.

The rules would not to apply to people renting out their main home for 90 days or less in a year.

A mandatory national register would be set up providing councils with information on short-term lets in their area.

Mr Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: "These changes will ensure people have more control over housing in their cherished communities.

"We know short-term lets can be helpful for the tourist economy, but we are now giving councils the tools to bring them under control so that local people can rent those homes as well.

MG
Mr Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: "These changes will ensure people have more control over housing in their cherished communities. Picture: Alamy

"These changes strike a balance between giving local people access to more affordable housing, while ensuring the visitor economy continues to flourish."

Tourism minister Julia Lopez said: "Short-term lets provide flexibility for homeowners and give tourists more accommodation options than ever before, but this should not prevent local people from being able to buy or rent homes in their area.

"The Government is committed to getting the balance right to ensure both local people and our visitor economy can thrive."

Amanda Cupples, Airbnb general manager for northern Europe, said: "The introduction of a short-term lets register is good news for everyone.

"Families who host on Airbnb will benefit from clear rules that support their activity, and local authorities will get access to the information they need to assess and manage housing impacts and keep communities healthy, where necessary.

"We have long led calls for the introduction of a host register and we look forward to working together to make it a success."

Airbnb Reports Quarterly Earnings
Amanda Cupples, Airbnb general manager for northern Europe, said: "The introduction of a short-term lets register is good news for everyone.". Picture: Getty

Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, welcomed the proposals to tackle the "escalating" number of holiday lets in the county.

She said: "Alongside the introduction of the 100% premium on second homes from April 2025, I'm pleased the Government is providing the fiscal, planning and regulatory powers to help rebalance Cornwall's housing market and allow us to provide even more decent and secure homes for local people and help all our communities to thrive."

Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council
Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, welcomed the proposals to tackle the "escalating" number of holiday lets in the county. (stock image). Picture: Alamy

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesman said: "The Government also intends to introduce associated permitted development rights - one allowing for a property to be changed from a short-term let to a standard residential dwelling, and a second that would allow a property to be changed to a short-term let.

"Local authorities would be able to remove these permissions and require full planning permission if they deem it necessary.

"Both of these measures are focused on short-term lets, and therefore the planning changes and the register will not affect hotels, hostels or B&Bs.

"Further details of these measures will be set out in the Government's response to the consultations, including the timeline for implementation of the register, the use class and the individual permitted development rights - with the changes being introduced from this summer."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The incident reportedly occurred on Pembury Road, Kent.

Woman ‘repeatedly punched in head and pushed out of speeding van’ as police launch manhunt for suspect

Exclusive
LBC can reveal South American cartels dumped over £200 million worth of cocaine into the English Channel last year

Beach-goers urged to watch out for suspicious boats smuggling cocaine from the Channel

Breaking
Emergency services near to the scene of a suspected gas explosion which tore through a terrace house in the early hours of the morning in Stoke Newington.

Woman found knifed to death in London home after police rushed to reports of gas explosion

he Dongfeng 41, a Chinese nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile

China is growing its nuclear weapons stockpile faster than any other country, report warns

Elon Musk in the White House's Oval Office

Elon Musk shares details of drugs test after bombshell report claims he took 'cocktail of substances' as head of DOGE

The Air India 787 Dreamliner was due to leave Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.10pm local time (8.40am UK time)

Air India flight to London cancelled days after Dreamliner disaster killed at least 270

Kim Woodburn, in 3th place, leaves the Celebrity Big Brother house on February 3, 2017

How Clean is Your House? star Kim Woodburn dies aged 83 after a short illness as tributes pour in

Food distributed to Palestinians in Gaza amid Israeli attacks

Israeli tank shelling on crowds waiting for aid kills 45 Palestinians in Khan Younis

Pilots said they heard a “loud thud” immediately before the left engine lost power, the DGCA’s investigation report claimed

Air India Dreamliner identical to doomed flight AI171 'suffered engine failure before making emergency landing' in 2023

Rescue workers clear the rubble of a multi-storey residential house destroyed by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine

At least 14, including US citizen, dead as Russia launches massive wave of drone and missile strikes at Kyiv

Dumont Road, Stoke Newington.

40 firefighters tackle suspected gas explosion in north-east London as police probe underway

Exclusive
Greta Thunberg gets arrested at the Oily Money Out protest - Fossil free london and extinction rebellion protest outside The Energy intelligence forum (also known as the Oscars for the oil industry) event at the Intercontinetal Hotel, park lane, in 2023

Government 'quietly drops' fight for tougher anti-protest laws used to arrest climate activist Greta Thunberg

US President Donald Trump speaking to the media at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada

Trump leaves G7 summit early over Middle East tensions as he issues evacuation warning for Tehran

Matthew Perry attends 'The Circle' screening during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 26, 2017 in New York City.

Doctor to plead guilty to supplying Friends star Matthew Perry with ketamine

The son of a woman who died while skydiving said she was "just trying something new" when her family lost her.

‘Caring’ mother-of-four who died while skydiving was ‘just trying something new’, son says

NHS 999 staff are quitting and suffering burnout caused by the "relentless pressure" of calls, according to new research.

NHS 999 staff quitting and suffering burnout due to ‘relentless pressure’ of calls, research finds