Understand
Upcoming planning changes will reduce democratic scrutiny, councillors warn
Overview
New national rules coming into force on 31 October will dissolve local area planning committees in areas like Westmorland and Furness to speed up the planning process. While the changes aim to boost economic growth and reduce timelines for housing and infrastructure by having council officers determine most routine applications, critics warn it removes public scrutiny and transparency.
Key points
- Westmorland and Furness Council is dissolving its three local area planning committees and replacing them with a single committee of 13 councillors from 31 October.
- Most household planning applications and commercial developments under 50,000 sq m will be decided by council planning officers rather than committees.
- Councillors will no longer have the ability to call-in an application on their patch for public scrutiny.
- Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors have criticised the changes for reducing public involvement and democratic scrutiny.
- The Labour group supports the changes for potentially reducing timelines and boosting economic growth, though they are seeking clarity on public engagement.
- The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government states the changes will modernise committees to improve decision efficiency.