The draft Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026 remove the ability for district councillors in planning committees to give input on almost all planning applications.

We believe this would leave constituents without a say on the development of their communities and be disastrous for local democracy. Under the Regulations: no councillor would be able to call in a planning application; officers would make the final decision on most applications, bypassing planning committees; this means effectively no say for residents or councillors on the designs of new developments below 500 properties and no ability for residents to have their say in a committee meeting. Maintaining democratic oversight and transparency over managing development is essential.