Andy Burnham set to hand mayors new powers over local planning
Andy Burnham is set to hand mayors new powers to take control of local planning decisions to build large-scale developments such as houses, tower blocks and skyscrapers, reports BritPanorama.
In proposals to be unveiled next week, the prime minister will allow mayors to overrule councils to “call in” decisions and direct councils to implement or reject them. This move is designed to streamline the planning process and address housing shortages.
The new powers will enable mayors to grant upfront permission for developments, eliminating the need for developers to apply for each project. This applies to projects involving more than 150 homes, commercial spaces exceeding 15,000 square metres, or any building reaching 30 metres in height, approximately the size of a ten-storey building.
However, the Liberal Democrats have criticized this initiative as a “direct attack” on local democracy. Gideon Amos, the party’s housing and planning spokesperson, expressed concern over potential disempowerment of local communities and councils: “Taking powers away from communities and local councillors is taking powers away from local people. This plan is a direct attack on communities across the country.”
Amos further argued that Labour’s approach to devolution will not effectively tackle the housing crisis, advocating instead for an empowering of local councils with the necessary resources to create genuinely affordable housing alongside supportive infrastructure.
Burnham acknowledged the concerns regarding the concentration of power in the hands of mayors but defended the policy, stating: “Sometimes… challenge does need to be made to local decision-making, and actually it cuts both ways. It’s not all about Nimbyism. Sometimes it’s the other way round.”
Support for these proposals is strong among devolved mayors, with ten of the fourteen endorsing the plan. This alignment follows earlier actions taken by the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, who was granted similar powers in a bid to expedite housing development in the capital.
A consultation on these proposals will coincide with the government’s ongoing efforts to meet its target of building 1.5 million homes in England over five years. Currently, the government is slightly over a quarter of the way to achieving this goal, which remains a priority.
While mayors will have enhanced authority over planning decisions, they must still adhere to existing planning rules, local plans, and national policy standards. Importantly, ministers will retain a backstop power to intervene if required.
In addition to planning, mayors will play a greater role in the allocation of national housing funding from Homes England and will be able to impose development levies to support necessary infrastructure improvements.
These developments aim to replicate the financial mechanisms that helped deliver the Elizabeth line, enhancing rail capacity and supporting housing growth and regeneration, positioning it as the UK’s busiest railway service.
The implications of these new powers will resonate across communities, highlighting the ongoing debates around local governance and the housing crisis.
