UK national planning reform implementation

Following the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, local councils in England are preparing to implement a National Scheme of Delegation. This reform, scheduled to take effect on 31 October 2026, shifts decision-making authority for many applications—including minor residential and commercial developments—from elected planning committees to professional planning officers.

Under the new regulations, applications will only be referred to a committee if they meet specific national criteria or pass a “Gateway Test” regarding significant economic, social, or environmental issues. This change removes the automatic right for local objections or ward councillors to trigger a committee review.

While the government and some officials argue the shift will increase efficiency and allow committees to focus on high-impact developments, the changes have faced criticism. Local councillors in areas such as Basingstoke and Deane, and Brighton and Hove, have expressed concerns that the standardized approach undermines democratic accountability and sidelines community voices. The Local Government Association has also noted that a nationalized approach may fail to address the unique requirements of different local regions.