PM Proposes Mayors Overrule Councils on Planning

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on August 22, 2026, proposals to grant mayors across England new powers to overrule local councils on major planning decisions. The initiative, designed to accelerate housing construction and regeneration, would allow mayors to "call in" significant development applications and direct councils to approve or reject them, bypassing local objections.

Under the plans, mayors in 13 devolved areas, including Manchester, Liverpool, the West Midlands, and South Yorkshire, would gain authority over developments exceeding specific thresholds. These include housing schemes of more than 150 homes, commercial projects larger than 15,000 square metres, and buildings taller than 30 metres, roughly ten storeys. Mayors will also be able to grant developers upfront permission to build without a formal application.

The powers are intended to mirror those already held by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who was given similar authority earlier this year as an emergency measure to unblock stalled sites. A consultation on implementing the changes is due to be published next week, with the government aiming to have the rules in place by the end of the year using...