Mayors across England will be given powers to take control of major planning applications under proposals due to be published next week.
The proposed ‘call-in’ powers will allow mayors to take over applications considered important to local growth and decide whether they should proceed or be refused.
The powers, which have been backed by ten mayors from different political parties, would bring mayoral authorities outside London closer to the planning arrangements already in place for the Mayor of London.
Applications falling within the proposed national thresholds would include developments involving:
- More than 150 homes
- More than 15,000 square metres of commercial space
- Buildings more than 30 metres tall – approximately ten storeys
Mayors would also be able to grant permission in principle for developments, allowing work to begin without developers making a separate planning application.
Councils would continue to determine most planning applications. All decisions made by mayors would still need to comply with planning legislation, local plans and national planning policy.
Applicants would retain their right of appeal, while ministers would continue to have powers to intervene in planning decisions.
The proposals would also give mayors greater influence over how national housing funding is used in their areas. Homes England would remain responsible for major projects, but its funding and expertise would be directed towards priorities agreed with local mayors.
The government said £1.3 billion from the national land and infrastructure fund had already been allocated to seven established mayoral areas. A further £234 million in brownfield funding has been allocated to seven mayoral strategic authorities, while £1.5 billion has been committed through the Housing Accelerator Fund.
Mayors outside London would also be allowed to impose a levy on developments to help pay for major infrastructure. A similar mechanism is used in London and contributed towards the cost of the Elizabeth line.
