The Manston Airport Development Consent (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2022 order to extend the time limit for compulsory land acquisition from one to five years.

This amendment, made under the Planning Act 2008, addresses potential delays in the airport development project.

The order was signed by Kayla Marks, Head of the Transport and Works Act Orders Unit at the Department for Transport, on May 19, 2025 and comes into effect May 20, 2025.

The Transfer of Functions (Fire and Rescue Services) Order 2025 transfers the responsibility for fire and rescue services from the Home Secretary to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, effective June 3, 2025.

This includes the transfer of all associated property, rights, liabilities, and ongoing processes.

The order clarifies the effective continuation of any ongoing actions and the use of existing documentation after this transfer of responsibilities.

Existing legislation is adjusted to reflect these changes, and the order makes clear that nothing in this order interferes with the activities of the devolved nations.

This order amends the 2015 Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order for England.

Key changes include relaxing restrictions on installing electric vehicle charging points and air source heat pumps, streamlining planning processes for these developments.

Specific alterations involve removing certain limitations on the size, location, and number of permitted installations.

A transitional provision allows continued development under previous regulations for a limited time.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 1988 Regulations.

Key changes include removing certain baby and child products from the definition of "furniture," eliminating specific labeling requirements, and extending the time limit for legal proceedings related to fire safety offenses to twelve months.

The amendments aim to clarify the regulatory framework and reduce burdens on businesses, although concerns remain about potential impacts on fire safety and enforcement.

The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 10) Regulations 2025, effective May 1, 2025, implement several sections of the Environment Act 2021 concerning biodiversity net gain.

These sections, primarily impacting planning permissions in England, introduce a condition within the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure that all new developments contribute towards increasing biodiversity.

The regulations clarify specific parts of the relevant legislation that come into effect and explain the integration of these additions into existing planning processes.

While no independent cost impact assessment was deemed necessary for these regulations, reference is made to a broader impact assessment on the Environment Act 2021.

These regulations amend the 2024 Student Accommodation Regulations to update codes of management practice for student housing in England.

Key changes include the approval of a new Universities UK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice, the specification of educational establishments under the Housing Act 2004, and the revocation of several superseded regulations.

The amendments aim to improve standards, clarify application, and streamline the regulatory framework for student housing.

The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 amend existing legislation to reflect changes introduced by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.

The regulations update fees for certain planning applications and adjust several Acts to incorporate new provisions for planning permission on Crown land in England.

These new provisions establish two application routes: one for urgent, nationally important developments and another for nationally important developments without urgency.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment etc.) (England) Regulations 2025 amend the 2010 Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations and the 2013 Town and Country Planning Order.

These amendments clarify the application of the Community Infrastructure Levy to certain planning determinations made by the Secretary of State or appointed persons, and enhance the information gathered on CIL liabilities within planning applications.

The changes primarily aim to improve clarity, consistency and the efficiency of the planning process concerning the levy in England.