The new ‘National Scheme of Delegation’ will come into force on 31 October, which will determine how planning applications are decided
Under the new rules, fewer planning applications will be decided by elected councillors at committee.
Following the changes, West Oxfordshire District Council has raised concerns that new national planning rules will reduce the number of planning decisions made by locally elected councillors.
Councillor Andy Graham, leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, stated: “Planning decisions shape the places where people live, work and raise their families. We know residents care deeply about changes in their communities and valued the public debate on planning applications held at committee.
“We believe taking more decisions away from elected members is a step backwards. We have made our position clear with government; however, now the changes have been passed, we will be required to comply with them from October.”
What changes will be made?
Many planning applications for smaller commercial developments and smaller housing schemes, that could have been decided by committees, will in future be decided by council officers. It is likely that only certain large developments or those that pose significant issues will go to committee.
The planning system is already quasi-judicial, and decisions on planning applications are not made based on opinion or preference, but on whether they meet nationally and locally set policies.
This is true of applications decided by councillors or officers who should not rule out or approve applications for any reason other than those set out in policy and law. Any decision taken that is not in line with the process is liable to be overturned at appeal.
Will the changes make planning decisions more consistent?
Before the changes, around 95% of planning applications were decided by council officers, with 5% going to committee annually.
Under the changes, this could fall to around 3%. The changes will mean more decisions are made by officers, but residents and organisations will still be able to comment on applications and read the reasoning behind decisions and appeals.
The government says the changes will make planning decisions more consistent, certain and efficient. It also wants committees to focus on the most important proposals.
Councillor Liz Leffman, executive member for planning and infrastructure, explained: “In West Oxfordshire our planning committees have always applied a pragmatic and positive approach to effectively managing planning applications.
“We have faith in our officers to make sound decisions, but this change will constrain the transparency and openness in the process this council values.”
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