Mayors across England are to be given 'call in' powers to take the most important planning decisions in their areas. Andy Burnham will hand mayors the power to overrule councils and force through plans to build houses, tower blocks and skyscrapers.
Under proposals to be published next week, a mayor will now be able to take over key planning applications which impact on local growth, and direct a council to take it forward or refuse it.
Prime minister acknowledges objections
In an interview with The Sunday Times, the prime minister acknowledged that some councils and residents would object to having mayors overrule them on unpopular planning decisions. However, he insisted that the policy would also enable mayors to overrule "nimby" councils.
Burnham said: "In my view, it will prompt a much more joined-up discussion about planning and local authorities. I think knowing the mayor has that role, councils will come to the mayor and say: 'How can we work this thing out so that it is acceptable?'"
Scope of new powers
The plans have been backed by ten of the 14 devolved mayors from different parties and will hand those across England the powers already held by Sir Sadiq Khan, the London mayor. They will be able to "call in" schemes with more than 150 homes, at least 15,000 sq m of commercial space, or any building of 30 metres or taller (roughly ten storeys).
The prime minister hopes to have the new rules in place by the end of the year under the English Devolution Act, allowing him to implement them without needing to pass any new legislation, which would require a vote by MPs.
"The situation we're trying to get to is giving local areas more grip over the most fundamental thing their areas need, which is homes that people can afford," Burnham said. "The growth journey won't work if it's being done without that."
Impact on housing delivery
Mayors will also be able to grant up front permission for development, so that building can begin without a developer having to apply. Councils will continue to decide the majority of applications, and many are already getting homes built at scale.
Over the last three years, Salford has delivered 7,584 homes against a requirement of 4,249. Leeds has delivered 11,690 homes against a requirement of 10,151, and Knowsley has delivered 1,888 - well over double the requirement of 772 homes.
Every decision must follow the planning rules, the local plan, and national policy. Applicants keep the right of appeal, and ministers retain a backstop power to intervene themselves.
Funding and infrastructure
Mayors will also have a bigger say over how national housing funding is spent in their areas. Homes England will still lead on the biggest projects, but its funding and expertise will be focused on the priorities agreed by local mayors.
A £1.3bn portion of the national fund for land and infrastructure has already been allocated to the seven most established mayoral areas, with an additional £234 million of brownfield funding to seven MSAs, and £1.5 billion committed for devolution through the Housing Accelerator Fund.
Mayors outside London will also be able to charge a levy on development to fund major infrastructure, using the same tool that helped deliver the Elizabeth line, which has boosted rail capacity, supported housing growth and regeneration, and become the UK's busiest railway service.
