{
  "id": 2771372,
  "title": "Burnham to give mayors powers to force through building plans",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/burnham-to-give-mayors-powers-to-force-through-building-plans",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T08:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Discovered",
    "slug": "discovered",
    "url": "https://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/national/burnham-to-give-mayors-powers-to-force-through-building-plans-170848"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Labour Party's Andy Burnham plans to grant mayors new authority to override local planning decisions and expedite large-scale construction projects, according to proposals set to be announced next week. Mayors would be granted the ability to \"call in\" planning decisions and direct councils to either proceed or reject them. They will also have the power to grant preliminary permission for developers to commence construction without undergoing the typical application process. This provision shall apply to projects involving more than 150 residential units, commercial spaces surpassing 15,000 square meters, or any building exceeding 30 meters in height – approximately 10 storeys. The initiative aligns with the powers already granted to London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan, who received this authority earlier this year as an emergency measure to expedite the construction of affordable housing in the capital.\n\nSupport for this proposal is shared by ten out of the 14 devolved mayors. However, the plan is not solely to combat \"Nimbyism,\" or opposition from local residents. Burnham acknowledges that mayors may also be called upon to challenge local decision-making, particularly when council-approved projects do not adequately address community concerns. He stated that the decision-making power is a \"two-way street,\" emphasizing that sometimes local councils may propose initiatives that are deemed unacceptable by the community due to their potential impact.\n\nThe proposed changes must still comply with existing planning regulations, local area plans, and national policies. Ministers will retain the ability to intervene in cases where necessary. Additionally, mayors will gain more influence over the allocation of national housing funding from Homes England within their jurisdictions and will be able to impose levies on developments to finance significant infrastructure projects. A consultation on these proposals will be released next week. The Liberal Democrats criticized the move as a \"direct attack\" on local communities, arguing that it undermines residents' rights. Gideon Amos, the party's housing and planning spokesperson, warned that this measure is inconsistent with Labour's broader approach to devolution and would not effectively address the housing crisis. He suggested that the government should instead empower local councils with the resources necessary to deliver affordable housing and support the infrastructure required to sustain it.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}