Key facts
- Andy Burnham plans to grant mayors new powers to control local planning decisions and approve large developments.
- Mayors will be able to overrule local councils and direct them on planning applications.
- The new powers apply to developments exceeding 150 homes, 15,000 sq m of commercial space, or buildings 30 meters tall.
- Ten of 14 devolved mayors support the initiative, aligning them with powers similar to London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
- Housebuilders are experiencing challenging conditions, with new developments at their lowest in over a decade.
Andy Burnham is set to unveil proposals that would grant regional mayors new powers to control local planning decisions and approve large-scale developments, potentially allowing them to overrule local councils. These plans, which have the backing of 10 out of 14 devolved mayors, aim to streamline the approval process for significant projects.
The new rules would apply to developments of more than 150 homes, commercial spaces exceeding 15,000 square meters, or any building 30 meters or taller. Mayors would be able to 'call in' planning applications, direct councils to refuse or proceed with plans, and grant developers upfront permission to begin construction. This initiative mirrors powers already held by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Mayors will also gain more influence over the allocation of national housing funds from Homes England and will be empowered to levy developments to finance major infrastructure projects. A consultation on these proposals is expected this week.
The move comes as the housebuilding sector faces its most challenging conditions since the 2008 financial crisis, with new developments at their lowest in over a decade. The government is currently behind its target of building 1.5 million homes in England over the next five years.