Local control over planning under threat

Proposed changes to national planning laws could mean councillors no longer have a role in local planning decisions.

The changes would limit the size of local planning committees to a maximum of 10 councillors, and restrict the type of developments that could be decided by committees.

At present, smaller planning applications are 'delegated', which means they are decided by a Planning Officer. Larger applications are typically sent to the Development Management Committee for a final decision, along with a recommendation by Planning Officers.

Under the new proposals, stricter criteria will govern which planning applications can be decided by councillors. Applications that broadly comply with the council's Local Plan would no longer be debated by councillors. This would mean that significant and large developments would be decided by Planning Officers, not councillors.

The reforms would apply to all local councils from 30th September 2026.

A public consultation is currently under way, closing on 23rd April. To find out more about the proposals and comment, vsit https://consult.communities.gov.uk/planning/planning-committee-reforms-statutory-consultation/.