New Planning Powers

SOUTHEND councillors have criticised measures which could mean that residents’ objections alone are no longer enough to have some planning applications heard by councillors.
Under new Government reforms due to come into force this autumn, applications that may previously have been debated and voted on by councillors could instead be decided by planning officers.
Currently, councillors are able to request that applications be considered by the Planning Committee, but the changes are due to come into force on October 31.
New rules will mean, councillor interest, objections, petitions, and public controversy will no longer be enough to bring an application before the planning committee.
Planning committees will instead focus on a smaller number of strategically important or significant planning applications.
The reforms are being introduced to comply with the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and the National Scheme of Delegation (NSD).
The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 aims to speed up housing delivery and make planning decisions more consistent across England.
Failing to implement the changes could leave the authority vulnerable to legal challenge.
Council leader Daniel Cowan said: “This change is the result of national legislation and as such requires the council to amend the constitution to meet our legal obligations.
“The process of considering amendments to the constitution is initially a matter for the cross-party and independent standards committee. I trust they will ensure the council’s constitution continues to comply with the law once this legislation comes into effect.”
Southend’s Reform leader Tony Cox slammed the proposals as a “dangerous” step away from local democracy.
He said: “Councillors are closer to communities than what planning officers are. This is a dangerous retrospective step. Councillors should be there to hear those objectors and vote accordingly.
“Planning officers have roles to play within the planning framework, but to place all power with retrospective planning decisions is not what local democracy is all about.”
Conservative leader James Courtenay also criticised the proposals.
He said: “I think it is really disappointing when decision making it taken away from locally democratically elected councillors and handed to civil servants.”
“Councillors are accountable to their electorate and are able to hear from residents, as well as businesses and developers, to ensure they have a complete picture of public sentiment, alongside considering planning policy as advised by the professional officers.”
“Councillors are already able to delegate certain decision-making to officers, and the exact scheme of delegation is something that is left to each local authority, exactly how it should be.”
Committee members will be asked to support the changes and recommend them to full council on September 14.
Picture: A council meeting. Pic SCC
Read more
Visit: https://leigh-on-sea.news
Contact us. Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leighonsea.news
Twitter: @leighonsea_news
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighonsea.news