by John Prince
The leader of East Riding Council has strongly criticised the decision to give regional mayors across England control of the most important planning decisions in their areas.
Under government proposals, elected mayors including Hull and East Yorkshire will be handed “call in” powers to take over major planning applications that impact local economic growth.
The change will allow mayors to direct local councils to progress or refuse proposals, or to grant upfront development permissions so builders can begin work without going through standard application routes.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the new powers were an “essential part of the toolkit that mayors need to effectively deliver new homes and regeneration”.
However, the leader of East Riding Council, Cllr Anne Handley, has slammed the decision as elected councillors who represent their communities could see their decisions quashed if it suits the regional mayor to do so, without any consultation with local residents.
She said: “It’s madness that the Prime Minister talks about giving more power to local communities, then immediately tells us that if his new mayors doesn’t like the decisions local councils take, they can unilaterally reverse them.
“Local residents need to have a voice in the future of their area. Local councillors provide that voice. I’ll be writing to our mayor to let him know that I expect the views of local residents in East Riding to be listened to.”
The move has been backed by 10 regional mayors from different parties. It will bring them in line with powers the mayor of London has 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 10 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.
Local councils will retain jurisdiction over the vast majority of planning applications. Many authorities are already delivering projects at scale, including more than 650 homes currently under construction or in the planning stage in Hornsea, and almost 100 social homes in Withernsea.
Decisions must follow 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 bigger projects, but its funding and expertise will be focused on the priorities agreed by local mayors.
Funding allocations already include £1.3 billion for land and infrastructure across seven established mayoral areas, alongside £234 million in brownfield funding for seven Mayoral Combined Authorities and £1.5 billion committed through the Housing Accelerator Fund.
Regional mayors outside London will additionally gain the power to levy local development charges to fund major infrastructure projects.
For more information go to gov.uk/government/news/mayors-given-powers-to-green-light-developments