Having attended a number of planning committees first-hand, I have seen significant variation in how decisions are made, how debates are structured, and how members engage with applications – highlighting the inconsistency of the system in practice. Planning reform can often feel abstract, but the latest consultation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government signals a more tangible shift in how decisions may be made and is much more likely to be felt at a local level. 

At the heart of the proposals under the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 is a focus on improving consistency, efficiency, and clarity in decision-making. Historically, planning committees across England have operated with differing approaches and thresholds, contributing to variation and, at times, delays. These reforms aim to introduce a more uniform framework. 

The consultation, which applies to England only, opened on 26 March 2026 and will run for four weeks, inviting stakeholders to submit their views via an online survey. 

A central feature is the proposed national two-tier decision-making system. Many applications, particularly those that are smaller-scale or technical in nature, would be mandatorily delegated to officers under Schedule 1 (Tier A), reflecting a clear shift towards streamlining routine decisions. 

At the same time, the proposals retain a role for elected members where appropriate. The introduction of a “gateway test” establishes a formal mechanism for referring certain applications to committee, particularly those that raise economic, social, or environmental concerns, or involve significant planning considerations. This would fall under Schedule 2 (Tier B). While, in principle, this approach should focus committee involvement on the most significant cases, it also raises an important question: how will members interpret what constitutes an economic, social, or environmental issue? Without clear parameters, differing interpretations could still result in a wide range of call-ins. 

The approach to phased developments is also noteworthy. While non-phased reserved matters would continue to be determined by officers, those associated with phased outline permissions would fall within the Schedule 2, allowing for committee consideration where appropriate. This approach is better suited to more complex and strategically significant developments. However, as currently drafted, it could capture a large number of schemes, potentially still resulting in a high volume of applications being referred to committee.  

These proposals also sit within the wider context of local government reorganisation. As authorities combine and governance structures evolve, it remains unclear whether reform will reduce the number of planning committees or instead lead to multiple committees within larger authorities to manage scale and workload. 

However, there is a question as to whether the consultation goes far enough. While it addresses structural and procedural consistency, it does not fully engage with the variation in how committees operate in practice. For example, councils currently take different approaches to public speaking rights and opportunities for residents and applicants to ask questions. If the aim is a more consistent and transparent system, there is a strong argument that these procedural differences should also be addressed. 

As with any reform of this scale, implementation will be critical. Local Planning Authorities will need to review and update their processes, while supporting members and officers in adapting to the new framework. The Planning Advisory Service is expected to provide support and training, although further detail is still awaited. 

Ultimately, the consultation raises an important question about how best to balance efficiency with democratic oversight. While the proposals move toward a more streamlined system, they retain mechanisms for accountability. The consultation period offers a timely opportunity to assess whether that balance has been appropriately achieved. Full details of the proposals, including the survey, can be accessed via the government’s consultation page linked below. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-committee-reform-draft-regulations-and-guidance/planning-committee-reform-statutory-consultation-on-draft-regulations-and-guidance

If you have questions about the survey or consultation in general, please contact us at eneumann@iceniprojects.com