Burnham expected to give mayors new powers over local planning decisions
Andy Burnham plans to grant elected mayors new powers to override local council planning decisions on major developments exceeding 150 homes, 15,000 sq m commercial space, or 30+ meters in height. The move aims to accelerate housing development toward the government's 1.5 million home target while ten of fourteen devolved mayors from different parties support the proposal, though the Liberal Democrats oppose it as undemocratic.
Summary
Andy Burnham will introduce proposals giving mayors the ability to "call in" local planning decisions, direct councils to approve or reject developments, and grant upfront permission without requiring developers to apply. These powers apply to major developments exceeding 150 homes, commercial spaces larger than 15,000 sq m, or buildings 30 meters or taller. The government intends this measure to overcome "nimby" council resistance that blocks developments beneficial for local growth and the national housing target of 1.5 million homes by parliament's end.
Burnham acknowledges the measure cuts both ways—while it can override council obstruction, it also allows mayors to block projects councils support. He frames this as necessary challenge to local decision-making and emphasizes the accountability advantage of elected mayors over less accountable processes. Ten of fourteen devolved mayors support the proposal, aligning them with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who received similar powers earlier this year as an emergency measure to unlock stalled affordable housing sites.
Burnham envisions the powers will encourage collaborative planning discussions, with councils proactively engaging mayors to negotiate acceptable outcomes. Decisions must comply with planning rules, local area plans, and national policy, with government retaining backstop intervention powers. Mayors will gain additional influence over national housing funding distribution through Homes England and can levy development charges for infrastructure funding. A consultation will be published the following week.
The Liberal Democrats strongly oppose the measure, arguing it removes power from communities and local councillors and represents a "direct attack" on residents. They advocate instead for empowering councils with resources to deliver affordable housing and supporting infrastructure.
The article notes Burnham faces a challenging autumn involving budget constraints, potential impacts from the Iran conflict, and difficult immigration policy decisions regarding settled status timelines and potential care worker exemptions.
About this episode
<p>Move would allow mayors to greenlight large-scale developments and have more say on national housing funding</p><p>Andy Burnham is expected to give mayors new powers to take control of local planning decisions and greenlight large-scale developments in proposals to be presented next week.</p><p>The move would allow mayors to “call in” the decisions and direct councils to take them forward or refuse them.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/23/burnham-expected-to-give-mayors-new-powers-over-local-planning-decisions">Continue reading...</a>
Key Insights
- Burnham argues the powers function bidirectionally—enabling mayors to block council-supported projects alongside overriding council obstruction—positioning this as justified challenge to local decision-making rather than one-sided reform
- Burnham claims elected mayors provide greater democratic accountability than existing decision-making processes, justifying the centralization of planning power away from councillors and constituents
- Burnham predicts mayors will use override powers as leverage to initiate negotiation with councils rather than impose decisions unilaterally, expecting collaborative planning outcomes
- Ten of fourteen devolved mayors across different political parties support the proposal, demonstrating cross-party backing for increased mayoral planning authority
- The Liberal Democrats contend the reform silences residents and disempowers local people, representing a fundamental disagreement about whether centralizing planning authority with elected mayors enhances or undermines democratic accountability
Topics
Transcript
Andy Burnham will give mayors new powers to take control of local planning decisions and greenlight large-scale developments in proposals to be presented next week. The move will allow mayors to “call in” the decisions and direct councils to take them forward or refuse them. They will also be able to grant upfront permission so developers can start building without having to apply. The move is intended to stop “nimby” councils blocking major developments which could help boost local growth or help the government move towards its target of building 1.5m homes by the end of the parliament. But Burnham said it could also result in mayors blocking projects that councils wanted to push forward. “Sometimes … challenge does need…
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