Governments planning reforms to change how planning applications are decided
The way planning applications are decided across England is set to change from 31 October 2026, following the Government's latest planning reforms.
The changes represent one of the most significant updates to the planning system in decades and aim to speed up decision-making, improve consistency and support the delivery of new homes and infrastructure.
A key part of the reforms is the introduction of a new national scheme of delegation, which sets out more clearly which planning applications should be decided by planning officers and which may be considered by a planning committee.
Under the new system, planning officers will make decisions on most planning applications, including the detailed stages of large developments. Planning Committees will focus on a small number of major or strategically important applications.
The reforms have been introduced in response to the Governments concerns about varying decision-making processes across local planning authorities. The Government says the changes will help create a more consistent approach nationwide, increase certainty for applicants and communities, and allow planning committees to concentrate on proposals with the greatest local impact.
As part of the reforms, councils are required to update their local Schemes of Delegation, which form part of their Constitution, and introduce a new Gateway Test. The test will act as a screening process for relevant applications and determine whether they should be considered by the Planning Committee or decided by officers.
Although more than 97% of planning applications submitted to Chichester District Council are already determined by officers, the changes mark a significant shift in how planning decisions are made and the role of planning committees within the process.
"We appreciate that these reforms represent a major change to the planning process and will raise concerns for residents, parish councils and councillors, says Councillor Bill Brisbane, Cabinet Member for Planning at Chichester District Council.
"To help people understand what the changes mean in practice, we have produced a new guide that explains the reforms and how planning applications will be considered under the new arrangements.
"For most applicants, the process of applying for planning permission will remain exactly the same. However, more applications will be determined by planning officers, there will be fewer circumstances in which applications are considered by committee, and objections alone will be less likely to result in committee involvement.
"One of the most significant changes is that existing local call-in arrangements can no longer operate where they conflict with the national scheme. Councillors will not be able to refer applications to committee solely because there is local concern or opposition to a proposal.
"That does not diminish the important role councillors play in the planning process. They will continue to represent their communities, engage with residents and applicants, help shape planning policy and local plans, raise planning issues with officers and serve on planning committees.
"Locally, we are also introducing a process that enables councillors to formally flag matters of local significance, ensuring local issues can still be brought to officers' attention.
"These reforms have been introduced nationally, and every planning authority will be adapting to the new arrangements. Our priority is to make the transition as straightforward as possible and provide clear guidance and support for everyone using the planning system."
The council's planning reform guide will be available later this month at www.chichester.gov.uk/planning.