The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has today (24th August)launched a six-week consultation on implementing sweeping new planning powers for mayors across England.
The consultation seeks views on provisions within the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. It focuses on three key tools for mayors of Strategic Authorities outside London: the ability to ‘call in’ planning applications of potential strategic importance, the creation of Mayoral Development Orders (MDOs) to grant planning permission directly, and the power to set a Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy (MCIL) to fund vital infrastructure.
Under the proposals, mayors will be able to intervene in major applications that have regional significance, either by taking over determination from local planning authorities or directing a refusal. The consultation also outlines streamlined processes for MDOs, which allow mayors to proactively grant planning consent for specific developments without requiring a formal application. For the first time, mayors outside the capital will also be able to levy charges on new developments to finance strategic infrastructure such as transport links and utilities.
The move follows the landmark Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, which required all Strategic Authorities to produce Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs) – high-level frameworks identifying growth locations. The new powers are designed to ensure mayors can effectively deliver these strategies.
Housing and Planning Minister Rt Hon Matthew Pennycook MP said in a foreword: ‘An effective planning system is integral to meeting housing need, speeding up infrastructure delivery and enabling our towns and cities to realise their full economic potential. While the government has an essential role to play in setting the framework of national planning policy, standards and regulation, it is local leaders, including mayors, who should be overseeing the strategic direction of development in their areas.
‘By early next year, we want the powers that will enable mayors to call in applications of potential strategic importance and to make Mayoral Development Orders to be in place. In using these powers, we expect mayors to work in close partnership with local planning authorities in their areas to deliver the housing, infrastructure and good growth that local communities need and deserve.’
The consultation also includes separate proposals to amend secondary legislation for Local Development Orders. The government has highlighted its duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty, explicitly seeking views on any impacts on groups with protected characteristics.
The consultation runs until 23:59 on 5th October 2026. Responses will inform the secondary legislation needed to activate the powers, with the government aiming for implementation by early 2027. The changes apply to England only and exclude London, though the consultation notes further adjustments to the capital’s existing framework.
The consultation can be found here.
Leave a Reply