In another boost for regional mayors like Kim McGuinness in the North East and Lord Ben Houchen in Tees Valley and – the government hopes – for its new homes pledge and growth agenda, mayors are to be given ‘call in’ powers to take the most important planning decisions in their areas. Under proposals being published this week (w/c 23 August), a mayor will be able to take over key planning applications which impact on local growth and direct a council to take it forward or refuse it.
Aligning with London
The move has been backed by mayors from different parties and will bring mayors across the country in line with powers the Mayor of London already has.
The national thresholds are being set outside of London for the first time: schemes with more than 150 homes, more than 15,000 square metres of commercial space, or any building over 30 metres or taller (roughly ten storeys) will be in scope.
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, said the government. Every decision will have to 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.
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.
Levy on development
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 £234mn of brownfield funding to seven mayoral strategic authorities, including £33.3mn for Tees Valley, and £1.5bn 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 in London, which has boosted rail capacity, supported housing growth and regeneration, and become the UK’s busiest railway service.
*This report is based on a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
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