Mayors to get new powers over planning decisions under Burnham proposals
Andy Burnham is set to propose new powers for mayors, allowing them to greenlight or block large-scale developments and influence national housing funding, aiming to accelerate housing targets.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
New proposals from Andy Burnham will grant mayors significant control over local planning decisions, enabling them to 'call in' projects over 150 homes or 15,000 sq m of commercial space. This move seeks to overcome local opposition to major developments, but also allows mayors to intervene against council-backed projects deemed unacceptable, creating a 'two-way street' for planning o…
Imagine your town needs more houses, but sometimes the grown-ups in charge of building (the local council) get stuck or disagree. Andy Burnham wants to give the 'super-mayors' of big areas a special power, like being a head coach for building projects. They can step in and say 'yes' or 'no' to really big building plans, like those with over 150 homes, even if the local council is stuck. This helps make sure houses get built faster, but also means the super-mayor can stop a bad plan if it's not good for the people living there.
Analysis
150 Homes Threshold
Andy Burnham's forthcoming proposals aim to significantly alter the landscape of local planning in the UK by empowering devolved mayors with enhanced decision-making authority. Specifically, these new powers would apply to developments exceeding 150 homes, commercial spaces larger than 15,000 square meters, or any building taller than 30 meters, roughly equivalent to 10 storeys. This threshold indicates a focus on larger, more impactful projects that often face considerable local scrutiny and potential delays.
The core of these powers involves the ability for mayors to 'call in' planning decisions, allowing them to either direct councils to proceed with or refuse a development. Furthermore, mayors could grant upfront permission, streamlining the process for developers by removing the need for subsequent applications. This mechanism is designed to cut through bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate the delivery of much-needed housing and commercial infrastructure, aligning with broader government objectives for growth.
Sadiq Khan Precedent
The proposed devolution of planning powers to mayors draws a direct parallel with the existing authority held by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Khan was granted similar emergency powers earlier in the year, specifically to unblock stalled sites and facilitate the construction of thousands of affordable homes within the capital. This precedent suggests a model that has been tested, at least in part, and is now being considered for wider application across other devolved regions.
Burnham emphasizes that this move is not solely about overriding 'nimby' (not in my backyard) opposition, but also about providing a check on local authorities that might propose projects detrimental to communities. He frames it as a 'two-way street,' where mayoral intervention can ensure more balanced and acceptable development outcomes. This perspective highlights a nuanced approach to devolution, aiming for greater accountability and strategic oversight rather than simply a top-down mandate.
Angela Rayner's Target
The context for these planning reforms is the government's ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes by the end of the current parliamentary term, a goal recently reaffirmed by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner. With the government currently just over a quarter of the way to achieving this target, the urgency to accelerate housing delivery is palpable. Granting mayors more direct control over large-scale developments is seen as a crucial tool to help meet this national objective.
Beyond direct planning decisions, mayors are also expected to gain a greater say in the allocation of national housing funding from Homes England within their respective areas. This financial leverage, combined with the ability to impose a levy on development to fund large infrastructure projects, provides mayors with a comprehensive toolkit to shape regional growth. While ministers will retain a backstop power to intervene, the overall thrust is towards empowering elected regional leaders to drive local development in line with national policy and local plans.
Key points
- Andy Burnham proposes new powers for mayors to control local planning decisions.
- Mayors will be able to 'call in' decisions for developments over 150 homes or 15,000 sq m commercial space.
- They can grant upfront permission for developers, bypassing traditional application processes.
- The move aims to help meet the government's target of building 1.5 million homes.
- Mayors will also have more say on national housing funding and can charge a development levy for infrastructure.
- The Liberal Democrats criticize the plan as a 'direct attack' on local communities and councillors.
These new powers could significantly accelerate the construction of much-needed housing and commercial spaces, helping the government meet its housing targets and stimulating local economic growth. By streamlining decision-making, mayors could unlock stalled projects and ensure infrastructure development aligns more effectively with regional needs.
Critics argue that centralizing planning powers with mayors could disempower local councillors and residents, leading to a 'direct attack' on community voices. This approach might result in a 'chaotic patchwork' of development across the country, potentially pushing through projects that lack local support or adequate supporting infrastructure.
