From Clarkson’s Farm to national politics, planning committees have recently been at the heart of controversy, and the Government’s latest consultation is sure to spark just that. A Statutory Consultation has been launched on the proposed planning committee reforms from the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. The reforms, contained in draft regulations and guidance, will dramatically change the role of planning committees across England.

National Scheme of Delegation 

The headline is the introduction of a National Scheme of Delegation. This will replace the individual schemes used by every council to decide what applications are taken to committee and instead establish a two-tier structure. Schedule 1 applications must always be determined by officers and may not be referred to committee. These include:

• householder development
• minor residential schemes (up to nine dwellings)
• minor commercial development

And a range of technical consents, such as:

• discharge of conditions
• non‑material amendments
• certificates of lawfulness and most reserved matters approvals

Whilst this would decrease the number of applications dealt with by committee, it is important to note that at most councils, 90% of the decisions are already delegated to officers*. Schedule 2 applications cover all other types of development, including:

• major applications
• section 73 variations
• phased reserved matters
• listed building and tree preservation order consents

These applications are delegated by default but may be referred to committee if a statutory gateway test is satisfied. If the gateway is not met, the decision must be taken by officers. 

The gateway test

A Schedule 2 application may only be referred to committee if the chief planning officer (or equivalent) and a nominated councillor, expected to be the planning committee chair, agree that: 

• the proposal raises one or more issues of economic, social or environmental significance to the local area, and
• the proposal raises one or more significant planning matters, having regard to the development plan and any other material consideration.

As a result, the previous powers held by ward members to call-in applications to committee will cease and there will no longer be an automatic trigger to committee based on the number of objections. Councils should note that this new decision‑making process will require formal documentation and a clear record of how agreement between officers and members has been reached.

Committee size and member training

The consultation also proposes giving the Secretary of State the power to set maximum sizes for planning committees, citing concerns that large committees can hinder effective decision‑making. Some authorities may need to revisit committee structures and constitutional arrangements. Alongside this, the introduction of mandatory training and certification for planning committee members is likely to be welcomed by many councils. Mandatory training has long been discussed but inconsistently applied. Requiring members to complete training before sitting or voting is long overdue and should strengthen decision quality and consistency, particularly given the growing public and political scrutiny of planning decisions.

The Government will hope that, if implemented, the reforms will reduce the number of applications considered by committees and help achieve its pledge to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029. Local authorities should familiarise themselves with the draft Regulations and begin considering the governance changes that may be required. The consultation will close on 23 April 2026. 

For any queries regarding the proposed planning committee reforms, please contact me.

* https://www.local.gov.uk/pas/development-mgmt/planning-committee/planning-committee-scheme-delegation