A major shift in the UK’s housing landscape is on the horizon, with the Prime Minister poised to hand regional mayors significant new powers to override local council decisions on large-scale developments. The proposals, set to be unveiled next week, would allow mayors to “call in” planning applications for projects exceeding 150 homes, commercial spaces over 15,000 square metres, or buildings taller than 30 storeys. This move aims to accelerate the construction of much-needed homes by cutting through local opposition, but it has already sparked a fierce debate over the balance between centralised authority and grassroots democracy.
The core of the plan is a direct challenge to the traditional role of local councillors. Under the new framework, mayors could effectively grant upfront permission for developments, bypassing the standard application process entirely. They would also have a greater say in how national housing funding from Homes England is allocated within their regions. Andy Burnham, speaking to the Sunday Times, acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating that the power is a “two-way street.” It is not solely about overcoming “nimbyism,” he argued, but also about challenging local authorities that propose developments deemed “unacceptable” by their impact on the community.
Ten of the fourteen devolved mayors from across party lines have already expressed support for the devolution of these powers. The model follows that of the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, who was granted similar emergency powers earlier this year to unblock stalled sites in the capital. Burnham believes this will foster a more collaborative approach, with councils proactively engaging mayors to find acceptable solutions. The government remains a quarter of the way towards its ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes across England within five years, and ministers will retain a backstop power to intervene in the process.
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from the Liberal Democrats, who have labelled the proposals a “direct attack” on local communities. Gideon Amos, the party’s housing and planning spokesperson, argued that stripping powers from councillors and residents is the wrong approach. “This plan is a direct attack on communities across the country,” Amos stated, calling it a “chaotic patchwork approach to devolution.” The party insists that empowering local councils with adequate resources, rather than concentrating power in the hands of mayors, is the only way to deliver genuinely affordable homes alongside necessary infrastructure. A formal consultation on the changes will be published next week.
Why it Matters
This proposed centralisation of planning authority represents a fundamental test of how the UK intends to resolve its housing crisis. By empowering a select group of mayors to override local decisions, the government is betting that regional leadership can deliver the scale of development required, even at the risk of alienating local communities. The outcome of this debate will not only shape the physical landscape of our towns and cities but will also redefine the relationship between national ambition and local democratic consent, with profound implications for the future of governance and community engagement across the country.
