Mayors to Gain Powers to Overrule Local Councils on Planning Decisions

Mayors across England will soon have the authority to overrule local councils on certain planning decisions.

The change will apply to proposals with more than 150 homes, more than 15,000 square meters of commercial space, or buildings over 30 meters.

This new power will be available to mayors in 13 areas, including Manchester, Liverpool, the West of England, and the West Midlands, as well as in the Combined Authorities in 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.

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook stated that the powers are an essential part of the toolkit that mayors need to effectively deliver new homes and regeneration.

However, the Conservatives questioned whether it is right for councils to lose the ability to make planning decisions in their own communities.

Mayors to Gain Greater Control Over Housing Funding

Mayors will also be able to grant "up-front permission," which will allow building to begin without a developer having to apply.

A consultation on how the powers will work is due to be published next week.

The government has sought to stress that local councils will continue to decide the majority of applications and that all decisions must still follow planning rules.

It has also said that mayors will get a bigger say over how housing funding is spent in their area, with the government directing national agency Homes England to focus on local mayors' priorities.

Critics of the New Powers

The new powers have faced criticism from some, including Sir James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, who stated that the government is "simultaneously stripping councils across the country of their ability to make planning decisions in their own communities, while making it easier to build traveller sites against local wishes".

Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrat housing and planning spokesperson, said "taking powers away from communities and local councillors is taking powers away from local people".

Mothin Ali, deputy leader of the Greens, stated that "more powers for mayors to direct local councils" is "more tinkering from the Labour government when local authorities continue to be forced by government into austerity budgets".

Reform UK accused Labour of "centralisation in disguise", saying "Westminster is stretching its tentacles outward instead of giving real power, resources and decision-making capabilities to devolved authorities."

The government has sought to stress that local councils will continue to decide the majority of applications and that all decisions must still follow planning rules.

It has also said that mayors will get a bigger say over how housing funding is spent in their area, with the government directing national agency Homes England to focus on local mayors' priorities.

The new powers are part of the government's efforts to meet its target of building 1.5 million homes in England by the end of the decade.