Mayors to get powers to overrule local councils on planning decisions

Mayors across England are set to gain new authority to override local councils on certain planning applications, a move that will impact proposals for developments exceeding 150 homes, 15,000 square metres of commercial space, or buildings taller than 30 metres.

This expansion of power will extend to mayors in 13 regions, including Manchester, Liverpool, the West of England, and the West Midlands, granting them similar "call-in" capabilities currently held by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook described these powers as an "essential part of the toolkit that mayors need to effectively deliver new homes and regeneration." However, the Conservative party has raised concerns about the appropriateness of councils losing the "ability to make planning decisions in their own communities."

The new powers will also be available to mayors in the Combined Authorities of 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.

Despite a recent decline in housebuilding in London, Pennycook asserted that the "call-in" powers have been instrumental in helping the mayor "unblock strategic growth sites" within the capital.

The Labour government, elected in 2024, pledged to construct 1.5 million homes in England by the end of the decade, a target that housebuilders have warned may be missed. Pennycook affirmed the government's "absolute determination to stick with that ambition," acknowledging it as "really stretching." He emphasized that with nearly 180,000 children in temporary accommodation, "any smaller target wouldn't be commensurate with the scale of the challenge."

In addition to the "call-in" powers, mayors will also be able to grant "up-front permission," which the government states will enable construction to commence "without a developer having to apply." A consultation outlining the implementation of these powers is expected next week.

The government has sought to reassure that local councils will retain authority over the majority of applications and that all decisions will still adhere to planning regulations. Furthermore, mayors will have a "bigger say" in how housing funding is allocated in their areas, with the national agency Homes England directed to prioritize local mayors' objectives.

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who served as mayor for Greater Manchester for nearly a decade, has consistently advocated for transferring more powers to local mayors. He told the Sunday Times that "challenge does need to be made to local decision-making and actually it cuts both ways," adding, "Sometimes it's the other way round. It's the local authority putting forward something that's unacceptable in terms of the impact on the community. It's a two-way street."

Last month, Burnham promised to allocate a share of income tax revenue to all mayors, expressing his desire to "bring power home" to "every postcode." Earlier this week, he announced a secondment program to place high-performing civil servants in mayoral offices.

This approach has drawn criticism from some within his own party and the Liberal Democrats, who fear it could establish a "two-tier system" that disadvantages areas without an elected mayor.

Recent data indicates an increase in planning bids for new homes in England, though actual construction remains low. Separately, the affordable housing quota for London has decreased to 20%.

Responding to the new mayoral powers, Sir James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, accused the government of "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." Sir James also suggested that Labour mayors have fallen short of housing targets, asserting, "The Conservatives are the only party with a plan to get Britain building and moving again with our plan to scrap stamp duty on the family home."

Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrat housing and planning spokesperson, stated that "taking powers away from communities and local councillors is taking powers away from local people." He argued that "Instead of silencing residents and handing mayors a blank cheque, the government should be empowering local councils with the resources to deliver genuinely affordable homes alongside the infrastructure to support them."

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

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