Mayors set for greater planning powers in move to boost regional growth
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Mayors across England are to be given ‘call in’ powers to take the most important planning decisions in their areas.
Under proposals to be published imminently, 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.
The powers will be available to Claire Ward at the East Midlands Combined County Authority as well as mayors in North East England, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, York and North Yorkshire, Hull and East Yorkshire, Greater Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and Tees Valley.
Councils will continue to decide the majority of applications but Mayors will be able to grant up front permission for development, so that building can begin without a developer having to apply.
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.
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.
Planning powers are the latest changes announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham as he continues on his mission to devolve decision making and "bring power home to every postcode".
Who we are
Devolution Leicestershire is an industry-education-VCSE coalition.
Founded in 2026, its purpose is:
- To accelerate a Devolution deal for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland
- To press for fair Government funding for LLR while the Devo deal is done.
Amy Orton is Account Director for 1284 Communications. She is a board member at Menphys. Amy was previously the Local Democracy Reporter for Leicestershire. Her role was funded by the BBC to report on local government in LLR for shared use by a host of media titles.
