Important changes to the planning application process
From 31 October 2026, a National Scheme of Delegation (NSD) for planning functions in England comes into effect which sets the level at which decisions on planning and related applications should be made.
Introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, the NSD replaces our current scheme of delegation and means that there will be significant changes to the way that planning decisions are handled within our constitution.
The NSD requires that the majority of planning applications must now be determined by planning officers and that some applications, predominantly major proposals, may be referred to the Planning Committee subject to the agreement of our new planning applications panel, which will be comprised of a nominated officer and a nominated member of the planning committee.
With the exception of planning applications made by the Council itself, Councillors or employees, only planning applications which raise either:
- i) an economic, social or environmental issue of significance to the local area and/or
- ii) a significant planning matter will be capable of being referred to the planning committee.
Consequently, the existing Planning Committee triggers, which include the number of objections received; the receipt of an objection from a Town or Parish Council; and a request from a Councillor will no longer be available for planning applications determined after 31 October 2026.
However, in commenting on proposals, any views expressed about the planning, economic, social or environmental significance of a proposal will be taken into account in considering whether a Schedule 2 application achieves one or both of the new Planning Committee triggers.
Our Cabinet will consider the changes needed to the constitution arising from the national scheme of delegation at its meeting on 22 October.
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