The government is introducing changes that move some planning decisions away from elected councillors towards the strict application of national rules and local policy. Councils retain some control over how applications are categorised. On 21 October, councillors met to agree a local framework for these changes, known as the National Scheme of Delegation. These regulations, approved by Parliament in July, are mandatory for all councils in England, with non-compliance risking planning decisions being overturned in courts.
Nationally, the rules now split planning decisions into two groups. Smaller applications, including home extensions, small housing schemes of fewer than 10 homes, minor business applications, and technical approvals, must be decided by politically neutral planning officers who apply national and local policy. Larger, more complex applications can also be decided by officers, but may be referred to the council's planning committee if deemed of strong importance to the area. From 31 October, councillors will no longer be able to 'call in' an application, and the number of objections will not trigger a committee referral. This change is expected to affect a small number of applications, as around 96% in Rochford already do not go to committee, mirroring the national average.
Rochford Council has agreed additional steps to ensure local concerns about larger applications can still be raised and reviewed. All councillors and relevant town or parish councils will be notified of every application upon receipt. Any councillor or town/parish council can request a 'gateway assessment' within 21 days to test whether an application should proceed to committee. Housing schemes of 10 or more homes, larger commercial schemes, and applications by the council itself will always undergo this gateway assessment. The reasons for all decisions on whether an application goes to committee will be recorded, published, and regularly reported to the committee. These local arrangements will be reviewed in six months.
These are national rules that every council in England must follow, and we've made the changes we must make. What matters to local people is that their voice still counts. Every comment on a planning application will still be read and weighed, and every decision will still be made against national rules and local policies. The biggest say residents have over what's built in our district is through the Local Plan, which adds a vital local layer of rules. Although we're waiting on the Government to release us from their holding direction on the Plan, I encourage everyone to get involved when we are permitted to start consultation.
Cllr Phil Capon, Chair of the Development Committee, stated that while the changes are mandated nationally, the council has ensured local voices remain important. He emphasised that resident comments will still be considered and decisions made based on national and local policies. He also highlighted the importance of the Local Plan for local input and encouraged public involvement when consultation begins.
