Authorities in Guangzhou in Guangdong and Yancheng in Jiangsu have introduced rules stipulating that a homeowner's consent must be obtained before anyone can run searches on their property.

BBC: China media: Housing law anger

On Tuesday, 26 coalition MPs - 16 Conservatives and 10 Lib Dems - voted against the government by backing a House of Lords amendment stipulating that individual councils should be given the right to opt out of the temporary planning rules changes.

BBC: Defeat possible on home extension plan, warns MP