Mayors across England to gain powers over major developments

The full picture

This article discusses plans for mayors in England to gain more control over significant planning decisions. These 'call-in' powers allow mayors to take charge of major developments, such as housing projects or tall buildings, that meet certain size criteria. The new system is designed to align the role of mayors across the country with those already holding similar powers in London.

Mayors across England are to be given powers to take over key planning applications affecting local growth, under proposals due to be published next week.[1] They will be able to direct a council to take an application forward or refuse it, while every decision must comply with planning rules, the local plan and national policy.[1] The proposed system is known as a “call in” power. It would allow a mayor to assume responsibility for the most important planning decisions in the mayor’s area instead of leaving the relevant application entirely with a council.[1] National thresholds will be introduced outside London for the first time.[1] Applications involving more than 150 homes, over 15,000 square metres of commercial space, or a building higher than 30 metres — roughly ten storeys — will be within scope.[1] Mayors will also be able to grant permission for development in advance, allowing building to begin without the developer having to submit an application.[1] The evidence does not specify the detailed conditions governing that route or when the new powers would take effect. The change has support from ten mayors representing different parties.[1] It would bring mayors elsewhere in England into line with the Mayor of London, who already holds comparable powers.[1] Councils will continue to determine most planning applications.[1] The government’s figures show that some councils are already delivering homes above their stated requirements: Salford delivered 7,584 homes against 4,249 required over the last three years, while Leeds delivered 11,690 against 10,151.[1] Knowsley delivered 1,888 homes over the same period, more than twice its requirement of 772.[1] These figures provide context for the continuing role of councils, even as mayors are offered greater control over selected major schemes. Applicants will retain a right of appeal.[1] The next confirmed development is publication of the proposals next week, when further details may establish how mayors can exercise the powers and how eligible applications will be handled.

Why now?

The immediate trigger is a set of proposals due to be published next week.[1] Those proposals would establish national thresholds outside London for the first time and give mayors responsibility for selected applications affecting local growth.[1]