Government to give mayors powers to overrule councils on major planning
The government has unveiled plans to let English mayors take over some major planning decisions to speed up housebuilding and growth.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The government has announced plans to give elected mayors in England new powers to overrule local councils on significant planning decisions, in an effort to boost housebuilding and economic growth.
The change would allow mayors to call in and direct decisions on large developments, including housing schemes with more than 150 homes, commercial projects of more than 15,000 square metres, and buildings over 10 storeys high. Mayors would also be able to charge a levy on developments to help fund infrastructure, a model already used to pay for the Elizabeth line in London.
London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, already has similar powers, but has not met his housing targets. Ministers say the measures are an essential part of the toolkit that mayors need to deliver new homes and regeneration. One Conservative mayor argued that regional leadership makes it easier to find suitable locations for development.
The plans have drawn criticism from several political parties. The Conservatives said the move would take away the rights of councils to make decisions in their own communities. The Liberal Democrats accused the government of silencing residents, Reform described it as centralisation in disguise, and the Greens suggested Labour was giving more power to developers.
A property expert warned of deeper problems in the housing market, including leasehold issues and the reluctance of both builders and first-time buyers. ITV News reported that the power to approve major energy projects, such as wind and solar farms, could also be included by 2028, and that there are concerns about areas without mayors being left out.
The government says decisions will still need to be in line with existing local plans. It has promised to build 1.5 million new homes over this Parliament, but with only about a quarter of the target achieved so far, the initiative is seen as part of an effort to speed up delivery.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One | ITV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayors would be able to intervene in developments exceeding 150 homes, 15,000 square metres of commercial space, or 10 storeys in height. | ||||
| Mayors would be allowed to charge a levy on developments to fund infrastructure, similar to the Elizabeth line. | · | · | ||
| Sadiq Khan already has similar powers but has not met his housing targets. | · | · | ||
| The Conservative mayor supports the policy despite criticism from his own party. | · | · | ||
| The government promises to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the current Parliament. | · | · | ||
| The policy has been criticised by the Tories, Liberal Democrats, Reform and the Greens. | · | · | ||
| Concerns raised that areas without mayors could be left behind. | · | · | · | |
| Mayors could gain powers to approve major energy projects such as wind and solar farms by 2028. | · | · | · | |
| Thirteen areas will get powers similar to those held by the Mayor of London. | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC One West report focused on the policy's details, including thresholds for housing and commercial projects, and quoted a Conservative mayor who backed the changes. It also included a separate political analysis pointing out the apparent contradiction between devolution and overruling local councils, and noted the government is behind on its housing target.
- “The change would mean mayors could overrule local councils on significant planning applications for new flats and houses and commercial and industrial developments.”
- “The Tories say the move will take away the rights of councils to make decisions in their own communities.”
BBC News gave a straightforward run-down of the plan, highlighting the same thresholds and the London example, but without the additional commentary. The report stressed the government's goal of building 1.5 million homes and included the property expert's warning about the housing market.
- “They'll be given powers to call in decisions affecting local growth, directing councils on whether to accept or reject them.”
- “There are challenges with house building in London, but the tools that we're rolling out to other mayors we know work.”
ITV emphasised the drive for economic growth and quoted the Prime Minister's pro-growth rhetoric. It highlighted the concerns of communities and councils, and the potential for mayors to 'overrule' as opposed to 'call in'. It also mentioned that energy projects could be included by 2028 and that areas without mayors might be left behind.
- “To drive economic growth. We simply cannot afford to be a low-growth country.”
- “This is all about taking decisions out of local communities' hands.”
- “Our latest leader, is to get the country building by giving mayors more powers.”
5 gave a very brief summary of the story, focusing on the new powers and specifically listing examples of metro mayors in Manchester, Liverpool and the West Midlands. It also used a different height threshold of 30 metres, which is about 10 storeys, and described the plan as 'said to be given new powers', a more hedged tone.
- “Mayors across England are said to be given new powers to overall local councils on planning decisions.”
- “Thirteen areas, including Manchester, Liverpool and the West Midlands will gain similar powers to those already held by the Mayor of London.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.