On 31 October 2026, new rules will come into effect for English Planning Committees that will severely limit the ‘call-in’ function.
Planning applications for fewer than 10 dwellings, as well as minor commercial developments, householder applications and some change of use applications cannot be heard by a planning committee and must instead be determined by planning officers.
- You can read more about the changes in our Campaign Pack
The below council motion is adapted from Hull Liberal Democrats. It demonstrates the council’s opposition to the Labour Government’s changes and calls on the Government to reconsider their attack on local democracy and local decision-making.
You can copy and paste the council motion below:
Council notes:
- That since July 2024, the Labour Government has introduced major changes to England’s planning system, including a revised ‘National Planning Policy Framework’, new housing targets, the “grey belt” policy and legislation to change how planning committees operate.
- That the Government’s stated aim is to speed up planning and build 1.5 million new homes, and that this Council supports the need for more affordable, sustainable homes and the regeneration of brownfield land.
- That the Government’s reforms increasingly centralise planning decisions and reduce the discretion of locally elected councillors, including through a national scheme of delegation and limits on planning committee size. That local circumstances vary enormously across England and national rules cannot always reflect the challenges faced by individual communities.
- That from 31 October 2026, planning committees in England will no longer be allowed to determine so-called ‘minor’ applications that include housing developments of fewer than 10 properties, minor commercial developments and householder applications such as extensions.
- That [AREA NAME] is preparing / has recently adopted a new Local Plan to guide development in the city through to [INSERT DATE], including housing, employment, infrastructure, regeneration and environmental protection.
Council believes:
- That England needs more homes, but increasing housebuilding should not come at the expense of local democracy and those homes need to be built in areas that are correct, based on local knowledge.
- That planning decisions should be made as locally as possible, with locally elected councillors retaining a meaningful role in deciding significant and contentious applications.
- That development must be supported by the infrastructure needed to make communities successful, including transport, healthcare, schools, drainage and green space. Faster planning is welcome, but speed must not come at the expense of proper scrutiny, public involvement, good design, flood protection or community confidence.
- Councils should be trusted to respond to the specific needs and challenges of their communities rather than being subject to unnecessary national prescription.
Council resolves to:
- Express its strong opposition to the unnecessary erosion of local democratic control over planning decisions.
- Call on the Government to review the national planning committee reforms and ensure that elected councillors retain a meaningful role in determining significant, contentious and locally important applications.
- Call on the Government to ensure that national housing requirements do not override locally determined evidence on flood risk, infrastructure capacity, environmental constraints and sustainable development.