Bioregional, a Good Homes Alliance leader member, has published an in-depth analysis of the Court of Appeal’s July 2025 judgment in Rights: Community: Action Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. This decision could have far-reaching implications for local planning authorities, developers, and environmental campaigners working to deliver climate-ready homes. The judgment:
- Confirms councils can go further – LPAs are still able to set higher energy efficiency standards than national building regulations, where backed by robust local evidence
- Clarifies the status of the 2023 WMS – it is guidance, not a legal block to ambitious local policies
- Strengthens the role of environmental principles – highlighting that ministers must have due regard to them when formulating policy, potentially raising the bar for future national decisions
This is a significant moment for local authorities looking to adopt stronger standards and align planning policy with net-zero goals.
Click here to read the full blog from Bioregional
“At last: Court of Appeal ruling clarifies council powers on local energy standards”