Following an announcement earlier this week, there has been widespread national coverage of the government’s plans to give regional mayors greater powers over major planning decisions, as part of efforts to boost housebuilding, unlock growth and deliver devolution.
The measures allow mayors to call in and determine significant planning applications, including housing developments of more than 150 homes, commercial schemes over 15,000 square metres and buildings over ten storeys tall.
The Sunday Times first reported the plans following an interview with the Prime Minister, who said the reforms would help local leaders drive growth and deliver the homes their areas need. The paper reported that the proposals have the backing of several regional mayors and highlighted comments from Andy Burnham, who said the aim was to give local areas “more grip over the most fundamental thing their areas need, which is homes that people can afford”.
The government has been clear that any mayoral interventions would still need to be consistent with planning law and local development plans. The reforms are intended to help local leaders unlock development, accelerate housing delivery and support growth across England.
Broadcast coverage on BBC News and ITV News reported that the reforms form part of the government’s wider devolution agenda and could also give mayors greater influence over infrastructure funding and economic development in their areas.
Both broadcasters ran comments from Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook, who said:
“At the end of the day, it's local leaders who know best how to realise the full economic potential of their areas. These new powers will help them to do that and ensure we get good growth in every postcode.”
Coverage then appeared across a range of national newspapers and broadcasters. The Guardian, Mirror, i Paper, Independent, Metro, Sun and Telegraph all reported on the proposals, explaining that mayors would receive powers similar to those already held by the Mayor of London.
Several reports noted that the government believes the reforms will help speed up development, support economic growth and unblock housing schemes that have become stalled in the planning system. The Telegraph reported that the measures could help unlock thousands of homes currently delayed or blocked.
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