Opposition grows to removal of planning powers

Why are councils rebelling over planning rules? Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Almost all planning applications for building projects will now be decided by unelected officials By Martin Heath Bedfordshire political reporter Published 2 hours ago Opposition is growing among councils in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire to new rules on who decides planning applications. The government says planning officers, rather than councillors, should decide most applications unless exemptions apply. One council has refused to change its constitution to reflect the changes, saying they are undemocratic. The government insists the move will improve clarity and efficiency. So what are these changes all about? Why are the changes happening? Most decisions about planning applications are already made by unelected planning officers as the vast majority are for small, uncontentious projects. Planning committees, made up of elected councillors, decide whether larger or more controversial projects should get the go-ahead. The new National Scheme of Delegation will result in even more applications going to officers rather than committees. The government said the changes will make planning decisions more consistent, speed up the process and reduce appeals. At the moment, a third of the applications that are refused are overturned on appeal. Guidance from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government , external (MHCLG) says: "Planning committees should focus on the key proposals that matter to an area, enabling other, often more minor and technical, decisions to be made by planning officers." What is changing? The new scheme means unelected but fully trained officials will make decisions on most planning applications. Planning committees may still consider: some commercial and residential developments listed building consent applications tree preservation order applications advertisement consent applications Even these applications will be decided by planning officers unless they raise issues of economic, social or environmental significance. The size of planning committees will be limited to 13 under the scheme. Why are some councils refusing to comply? Image source, Amy Holmes/BBC Image caption, Independent councillor Hayley Whitaker describes the changes as "profound" At a meeting to discuss the changes, the independent-led Central Bedfordshire Council decided not to change its constitution to reflect the changes by a margin of 20 votes to six. A total of 23 councillors abstained. An independent councillor, Hayley Whitaker, told fellow councillors: "These changes are profound; they are going to be really felt by our residents. "As a council, we do need to take a bit more of a lead on this." Image source, Martin Heath/BBC Image caption, Conservative councillor Philip Spicer says opportunities for people to have their say are being taken away A Conservative councillor, Philip Spicer, said the government scheme would mean residents losing "the only opportunity where they could actually speak to the council about an issue about planning, which affects their lives". Fellow Conservative Paul Daniels added: "In my view, a vital piece of local democracy is being taken away. "If a development impacts our neighbourhoods, whether it's good or bad, as elected ward councillors we have had the ability to bring it before a committee. "From 31 October, that will be no more." Does this mean Central Bedfordshire can ignore the rules? Image source, Louise Parry/BBC Image caption, Green councillor Susan Clinch says opposing the changes will not change anything In short, no. A council cannot simply ignore regulations imposed by central government. Central Bedfordshire's monitoring officer explained that the scheme would apply across the country from 31 October 2026 regardless of how any council may have voted. The monitoring officer said the vote would leave the constitution "silent" on how the rules should be applied. Susan Clinch, a Green councillor, said: "I absolutely am appalled by this piece of legislation but it is the legislation that we have. "We can all vote against it but it doesn't change a thing except that it puts our residents in a really poor situation [and] it puts our offices in a really poor situation." How have other councils reacted? Other councils in the area have either made a decision on the new scheme or are in the process of doing so. Dacorum Borough Council voted to change its constitution to reflect the new rules. The authority said that, of the 10 most recent applications decided by its planning committee, nine would have been determined by planning officers if the scheme had been in place. The council is already under special measures , which give developers the option of having their applications decided by a national official. Broxbourne Borough Council's cabinet also reluctantly agreed to change its constitution. How has the government reacted? Asked about the adverse reaction from some councils to the government scheme, a spokesperson for MHCLG said: "Local say from communities and councillors continues to be critical in how new homes and infrastructure are built. "Our plans will modernise planning committees to improve efficiency over decisions so that planning applicants have the clarity they need, and we can deliver quicker for local people." Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below. Get in touch Your Voice Contact form Contact form Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds , Facebook , external , Instagram , external and X , external . 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