New national rules governing how planning applications are considered by councils came into force on 31 October 2026, bringing significant changes to the way planning decisions are made locally.
The National Scheme of Delegation introduces a standardised approach to deciding which planning applications are determined by planning officers and which can be considered by the Planning Applications Committee.
The changes are part of mandatory government reforms designed to create a consistent approach to planning committee arrangements across the country.
Previously, councils could set their own procedures for deciding whether planning applications were delegated to officers or referred to committee. Under the new national framework, the Council will be required by law to follow the new rules.
What are the changes?
The National Scheme of Delegation divides planning applications into different schedules, setting out how they must be handled.
Schedule 1 Functions: Lists the types of planning applications that must always be delegated to planning officers for a decision.
Schedule 2 Functions: Applications will normally be delegated to officers but may be referred to the Planning Applications Committee in exceptional circumstances, provided they meet specific statutory criteria and pass the required Gateway Test.
For a Schedule 2 application to be referred to committee, at least one of the statutory criteria must be met. Both the Nominated Member, the Chair of the Planning Applications Committee, and the Nominated Officer, the Assistant Director – Planning, must also agree to the referral.
The changes mean that some existing local arrangements will no longer be possible. This includes the ability of ward councillors to request that individual applications be considered by committee, as well as existing arrangements that allow applications to be referred to committee when a specified number of objections has been received.
What does this mean for residents?
The way residents, interested parties, and statutory and non-statutory consultees are consulted will remain unchanged.
The Council will continue to publicise planning applications and invite comments from residents and other interested parties before decisions are made. All applications will continue to be assessed by planning officers in accordance with the development plan and any other relevant material planning considerations.
Cllr Shane Coates-Jarman, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Enforcement and Public Services, said:
“These changes represent a significant shift in how planning decisions are handled by councils, as we move to a nationally standardised approach to the delegation of planning applications.
“While the new rules change the circumstances in which applications can be considered by the Planning Applications Committee, residents will continue to have the opportunity to comment on proposals through our established consultation process.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all planning applications are carefully assessed against the development plan and other relevant planning considerations, and that decisions are made in accordance with the new statutory requirements.”
The Council will apply the new national rules when determining how planning applications are handled, ensuring that decisions are made in accordance with the statutory framework while continuing to assess proposals on their planning merits.