Planning changes to reduce councillors' role in housing decisions

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

North Yorkshire councillors warn that government planning changes coming into force on 31 October will shift more decisions to unelected officers.

The government's National Scheme of Delegation will restrict which applications North Yorkshire Council's planning committees can consider. Certain categories of planning applications will now have to be determined by officers, with councillors no longer able to demand that they are considered by a committee. Other applications will only be referred to a committee in exceptional circumstances, where both a nominated councillor and senior planning officer agree that they meet strict criteria.

North Yorkshire Council's deputy leader, Cllr Mark Crane, criticised the move. He said: 'This is not a decision of North Yorkshire Council' and suggested that successive governments have favoured officer decisions because 'councillors are refusing too many planning applications'. He questioned whether there was any justification for the changes in North Yorkshire, stating: 'I think it's a diminution of accountability for elected members.'

How it is being reported

• Fears planning changes will leave communities without a say on housingCouncillors in North Yorkshire have warned that government changes to the planning system will leave local communities with less say over new developments.The Press (York) · 22 Oct, 12:30
• Fears planning changes will leave communities without a say on housingCouncillors in North Yorkshire have warned that government changes to the planning system will leave local communities with less say over new developments.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 22 Oct, 12:30

In this story: North Yorkshire Council · Mark Crane · North Yorkshire

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