Government accused of caving in to building lobby amid plans to shake up housing sector in England

Changes to planning rules would limit scope of English councils and prevent them pursuing improvements to low-carbon homes

The government has been accused of bowing to lobbying by housebuilders, in proposals that would prevent English local authorities from pursuing improvements to low-carbon homes standards.

Under a consultation on planning rules, councils would be issued with guidance that would effectively limit their scope to demand builders construct new homes within their areas to the highest possible standards.