Changes to how planning applications are referred to Planning Committee
From 31 October 2026, new national regulations will change how planning applications are decided by local authorities across England.
The National Scheme of Delegation, introduced by the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026 (“the Regulations”), sets out which planning applications must be decided by planning officers and which may be considered by a Planning Committee, if certain criteria are met.
The Regulations do not allow councils to operate local arrangements that can automatically refer applications to Planning Committee that are required to be decided by planning officers.
The final Members Briefing Panel took place on the 28 September 2026.