Mayors to get powers to overrule local councils on planning decisions

Mayors in various regions of England will soon possess the authority to overrule local councils on specific planning decisions. This power will be applicable to projects involving over 150 homes, more than 15,000 square meters of commercial space, or buildings taller than 30 meters. Cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and the West Midlands, along with areas in North East England, South Yorkshire, and other regions, will benefit from this enhanced authority.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook emphasized that these powers are crucial for mayors to effectively deliver new homes and promote regeneration.

The Conservatives, however, questioned the rationale behind councils potentially losing control over planning decisions in their own communities. These new powers are also available to mayors in Combined Authorities across several English regions, including North East England, South Yorkshire, and others. Pennycook highlighted that, despite a recent decline in housebuilding in London, the call-in powers assisted the mayor in advancing strategic growth sites in the capital.

In the 2024 general election campaign, the Labour government pledged to construct 1.5 million homes across England by the end of the decade, although housebuilders have expressed concerns about meeting this target. Pennycook affirmed the government's commitment to this goal, acknowledging the ambitious nature of the target but stating that the current housing crisis, which includes nearly 180,000 children in temporary accommodation, justifies the target's scale.

Mayors will gain the ability to grant up-front permission for developments, enabling construction to commence without the usual developer applications. A consultation on the implementation of these powers is scheduled for publication in the following week.

The government emphasized that local councils will continue to decide the majority of applications and that all actions must adhere to planning regulations. Mayors will also have greater influence over how housing funding is allocated in their regions, with Homes England, a national agency, directed to prioritize mayors' priorities.

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a former Greater Manchester mayor, has consistently advocated for transferring more powers to local mayors, arguing that it is necessary to challenge local decision-making, sometimes even when initiated by local authorities.

Burnham promised to share income tax revenue among all mayors, aiming to "bring power home" to every postcode. He also announced a secondment program to place high-performing civil servants in mayoral offices. However, this initiative has faced criticism from within his party and the Liberal Democrats, who fear it could create a two-tier system that favors areas with elected mayors.

The government's approach has also drawn criticism from the shadow housing secretary, Sir James Cleverly, who accused the government of simultaneously stripping councils of their planning authority while facilitating the construction of traveler sites without local consent. Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson Gideon Amos called for empowering local councils with resources to build affordable homes alongside necessary infrastructure, rather than silencing residents and granting mayors unfettered authority.

The Green Party's Mothin Ali criticized the government's approach as "tinkering" while local authorities face austerity budgets. Reform UK accused Labour of centralization, stating that the government is extending its reach rather than providing devolved authorities with real power and resources.