Test Valley loses councillor power over planning decisions

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 13:19 · Archive

Test Valley councillors will lose the ability to call planning applications to committee under new government rules taking effect on October 31. A report going before Test Valley Borough Council on October 14 sets out how the National Scheme of Delegation will change planning decisions across England. The changes will restrict which applications planning committees can consider, with most being decided by officers using delegated powers instead.

Under the current system, councillors can ask the Northern or Southern Area Planning Committees to consider certain applications. The new arrangements will remove this power entirely. The report states that applications will be split into two categories, with Schedule 1 applications—including household extensions, minor commercial developments and smaller housing schemes—to be decided by officers and unable to go to committee.

The government says the changes will bring 'greater clarity and consistency about the role of planning committees in planning decision making' and focus them on 'key proposals that matter to an area'. However, councillors will have no ability to call applications to committee under the new scheme.

Test Valley loses councillor power over planning decisions — Image: Andover Advertiser

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How it is being reported

Fewer Test Valley planning applications to go before councillors under new rulesTest Valley planning changes take effect October 31, with councillors unable to call applications to committee as officers decide more under new rules.Andover Advertiser · 11 Oct, 12:00
New rules could see more planning decisions made by officersTest Valley councillors will lose the power to call many planning applications to committee as England's National Scheme of Delegation takes effect October 31.Romsey Advertiser · 9 Oct, 17:00

In this story: Test Valley Borough Council · Test Valley · England

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