Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Mayors given powers to green light developments, published on 23 August 2026, how mayoral decisions will be reconciled with development strategies and site allocations contained in relevant local plans.

Under our mayoral planning power reforms, if a mayor calls in an application for development of potentially strategic importance, they will become the local planning authority for determining the application where they would be subject to the same statutory duties as a normal local planning authority.

In particular, planning law requires all decision-makers to consider applications for planning permission in accordance with the development plan (which includes both the Spatial Development Strategy and local plan for the area) unless material considerations indicate otherwise. This will include consideration of the new National Planning Policy Framework, published on 17 August.

These powers are not about mayors undermining policies in up to date local plans, but rather about ensuring planning decisions on the most significant development proposals support the area’s delivery of housing and economic development taking account of local policies. More details on the proposed operation of the powers are set out in the consultation, available at on gov.uk here.