Mayors across England are set to receive enhanced authority to overrule local councils on certain planning applications, a move intended to expedite the delivery of new homes and regeneration projects.
These new powers will apply to proposals involving more than 150 homes, over 15,000 square meters of commercial space, or buildings exceeding 30 meters in height. Mayors in 13 areas, including major cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and the West Midlands, will gain these abilities, similar to those already held by the Mayor of London, who can "call in" planning decisions.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook described the powers as an "essential part of the toolkit that mayors need to effectively deliver new homes and regeneration." He noted that similar powers in London have helped unblock strategic growth sites. The government is committed to its target of building 1.5 million homes in England by the end of the decade, a goal that housebuilders have warned may be missed.
"We are absolutely determined to stick with that ambition," Pennycook stated, acknowledging the target is "really stretching" but emphasizing the scale of the housing challenge, including nearly 180,000 children in temporary accommodation.
Beyond the power to "call in" decisions, mayors will also be able to grant "up-front permission," potentially allowing building to commence without a separate developer application. A consultation on the specifics of these powers is expected next week.
The government has clarified that local councils will continue to handle the majority of planning applications, and all decisions must adhere to established planning rules. Mayors will also gain a greater influence over how housing funding is allocated in their regions, with national agency Homes England directed to align with mayoral priorities.
The proposed changes have drawn some criticism. The Conservative party has questioned the shift of authority away from local councils, asking if it is right for them to lose the "ability to make planning decisions in their own communities." Concerns have also been raised by some within the Labour party and by the Liberal Democrats, who fear the powers could lead to a "two-tier system" disadvantaging areas without elected mayors.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has been a vocal advocate for greater devolution of power to mayors. He has previously expressed a desire to transfer more authority to local leaders and has argued that challenges to local decision-making can come from both directions, suggesting it's a "two-way street" where mayors can sometimes find local authority proposals unacceptable.
The mayors in line to receive these new powers include those in the Combined Authorities of North East England, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, York and North Yorkshire, Hull and East Yorkshire, Greater Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, East Midlands, and Tees Valley.