Review of controversial planning delegation changes should be brought forward, Local Government Association says

The new rules will limit local councillors' ability to ‘call-in’ planning decisions for committee scrutiny.

The Government plans to review the new approach in 2028. However, the LGA has said the review should take place in 2027 to assess any impact on local democracy more quickly.

The LGA has previously said the reforms risk eroding the democratic role of planning committees, describing the "one-size-fits-all approach" as unlikely to adequately reflect the diversity of local planning authorities.

Councils should be able to determine the planning governance arrangements that work for their unique local areas, it said.

The call comes as at least four councils have refused to adopt changes to their constitutions to account for the new scheme.

Members at Bolton, Fenland, Central Bedfordshire and Tameside councils have decided against updating their constitution, over concerns for local democracy and in spite of officer recommendations.

On Wednesday, Bolton said that it would be unable to lawfully hold planning committee meetings or determine planning applications from 31 October because of the refusal to amend the constitution.

Councillors will now reconsider the constitutional changes at a meeting on 10 November.

Tameside's monitoring officer has meanwhile warned of a section 5 report because of the council’s failure to support the necessary changes.

Cllr Carl Cashman, Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said: “Councillors are concerned this could negatively impact their democratic mandate and ensure their views about how their area is developed are taken into account. We support creating a more efficient and effective planning system, but we do not believe the government’s plans address this”.

“Elected councillors are the backbone of the English planning system.

“Government needs to review the impact of this change earlier to ensure it does not come at the expense of local democratic accountability.”

Adam Carey