Mayors Gain New Planning Powers in England

Mayors across England will gain new powers to overrule local councils on planning decisions to facilitate housing development.

Mayors across England are set to receive enhanced powers allowing them to overrule local councils concerning certain planning decisions. The change targets proposals involving more than 150 homes, greater than 15,000 square meters of commercial space, or buildings exceeding 30 meters in height.

The new authority will apply to mayors in 13 areas, including Manchester, Liverpool, and the West Midlands, mirroring the powers already held by Sir Sadiq Khan in London, who can “call in” planning decisions.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has termed these powers as “essential” for mayors to effectively deliver new housing and regeneration initiatives. However, the Conservative Party has raised concerns regarding the implications of diminishing local councils’ ability to make planning decisions relevant to their communities.

Additional powers will be granted to mayors in Combined Authorities across various regions, such as North East England, South Yorkshire, and Greater Lincolnshire. Paul Bristow, the Conservative mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, expressed eagerness to utilize these new local powers, stating he could approve several blocked housing schemes promptly to facilitate community growth.

Bristow emphasized that the aim is not to override local desires but to foster a middle ground between developers and councils. He believes the perceived threat of intervention will encourage more constructive discussions about projects.

In London, where Khan has faced challenges in recent years regarding housebuilding, Pennycook reaffirmed that “call in” powers had positively contributed to unblocking strategic growth sites.

As part of the government’s 2024 general election pledge, they aim to construct 1.5 million homes in England by the decade’s end, though housebuilders have cautioned that this target might be difficult to achieve. Pennycook expressed the government’s commitment, acknowledging the ambitious nature of the target while highlighting that nearly 180,000 children are currently in temporary accommodations.

Bristow expressed skepticism about the government’s chances of meeting its ambitious housing target, pointing out that economic growth is vital and that the existing planning system is insufficient to meet the demand.

Besides the new “call-in” powers, mayors will also be allowed to grant “up-front permission”, enabling construction to begin without lengthy developer applications. A consultation outlining how these powers will function is expected to be published soon.

The government reassured that local councils will still manage the majority of planning applications and that all decisions must adhere to established planning regulations. Moreover, national agency Homes England will now be directed to focus housing funding in accordance with local mayoral priorities.

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a former Greater Manchester mayor, has expressed strong support for empowering local mayors with greater authority. He stated that while local decision-making is essential, there are instances where local authorities propose actions that may have adverse community impacts.

The plan has garnered criticism from figures within his own party and the Liberal Democrat Party, who worry it may create a “two-tier system” disfavoring regions without elected mayors.

Sir James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, criticized the government’s approach, claiming it undermines local councils’ authority while facilitating developments against community wishes. Gideon Amos from the Liberal Democrats echoed these sentiments, urging the government to restore power to local councils for genuine community involvement in housing decisions.

Deputy leader of the Greens, Mothin Ali, remarked that the increased powers for mayors seem like ineffective bureaucratic adjustments while local authorities continue to grapple with austerity measures implemented by the government.

Reform UK characterized these adjustments as a “centralization in disguise”, suggesting Westminster needs to enhance real opportunities for devolved authorities rather than managing from a distance.

The article concluded by noting that rough sleepers in England would be offered housing, reminiscent of the “Everyone In” initiative from the pandemic.