This week, the Government revoked planning powers for nine local authorities across England, including three in the Midlands. It means developers can apply directly to the Planning Inspectorate, rather than through the local planning authority.
Described as a ‘Whitehall power grab’ in Cherwell and ‘taking democracy away’ in Staffordshire Moorlands, Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Council – which share a planning service – are already seeking legal advice on the decision.
This aside, the Government was already unpopular with councils in the region.
The failed bid to cancel some of May’s local elections, including in Warwickshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire, left many councillors exposed and embarrassed. Once complete Local Government Reorganisation will then see hundreds out of jobs.
Changes to the national Scheme of Delegation has already sought to cut councillors out of many planning decisions. And December’s Local Plan deadline – the last chance to deliver a strategic development plan under the present regime (and with lower housing requirements) – is perceived as a big stick, not a carrot.
If the Government had a growth strategy in 2024, planning policy was at the heart of it. Whilst the 1.5 million home target appears critically challenging, streamlining and speeding up the planning process remains a laudable aim.
Taken together, these reforms now reveal the Government’s central diagnosis: district and borough councils cannot be relied upon to deliver at the pace required.
The Government’s strategy has stripped away powers and authority from district and borough councils.
Instead, funding and focus is being concentrated in bodies like the West Midlands Combined Authority and metropolitan councils. For these it means more money, more devolved powers, and more strategic planning.
It would be lazy to conclude this is just party politics. It is true that borough councils in the Midlands lean away from Labour, which are likely to lose fewer councillors through reorganisation.
But it’s also about scale.
Smaller councils with fewer resources, alongside the greater influence of parish councils and NIMBY groups, have been identified as a risk to delivery. This view will accelerate as councillors vie for re-election to fewer wards over the next 12 months.
The significance of this week’s intervention is not those authorities affected today. It is what it tells us about the strategic approach to local government, and to growth.
For decades, planning policy has sought to bring decision making closer to communities. Decisions made alongside residents and with genuine local insight. This has always sought to balance local accountability with national priorities.
Now, ministers appear willing to intervene where that balance is standing in the way of delivery.
Whether through local government reorganisation, strategic planning, and now the removal of planning powers, the direction of travel is clear – power is being prioritised and consolidated within the larger, more strategic authorities.
For developers, investors, and applicants that may bring greater certainty. But for district and borough councils it presents a challenge.
Can they play a central role in driving growth, and can they demonstrate the capability to deliver it? If the answer is no, ministers are increasingly willing to intervene.
This is a personal blog post. Any opinions, findings, and conclusion or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Centre for the New Midlands or any of our associated organisations/individuals.
ABOUT OUR AUTHOR:
Will Savage is Founder & Managing Director of Marca Strategy, a strategic communications agency operating in the built environment.
