Mayors to get powers to overrule local councils on planning decisions
Summary
Mayors in 13 areas of England will get new powers to overrule local councils on large planning decisions, like housing and commercial buildings. This change aims to help build more homes and support local growth, while local councils will still handle most planning applications.Key Facts
- The new powers apply to projects with over 150 homes, 15,000 square meters of commercial space, or buildings taller than 30 meters.
- Mayors in places like Manchester, Liverpool, West Midlands, and the West of England will have similar powers to London's mayor, Sadiq Khan.
- Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said these powers are important for delivering new homes and regeneration projects.
- Mayors will also gain the ability to grant "up-front permission" to start building without needing separate developer applications.
- A government consultation on how these new powers will work is planned for release soon.
- The government stresses local councils will still make most decisions and all must follow planning rules.
- Mayors will have a bigger role in directing housing funding through the national agency Homes England.
- Some politicians and parties have raised concerns about councils losing control and the fairness of these changes across different areas.
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