Council calls for review of new planning delegation rules
Test Valley Borough Council has expressed serious concerns about changes to the way planning applications are decided under the government's National Scheme of Delegation (NSD), which came into effect on 31 October 2026. The council has warned that the new arrangements imposed on the authority will significantly reduce transparency and opportunities for councillors and their communities to actively participate in important planning decisions.
The NSD will change how planning applications are considered by councils across England. In many cases, applications that may previously have been referred to a planning committee for determination will instead be determined by planning officers under delegated powers.
Councillors at a meeting of Full Council on 14 October agreed to raise their concerns with the Secretary of State, warning that the changes will undermine confidence in local democratic decision-making.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said: "As demonstrated at our recent council meeting, councillors from across Test Valley are deeply concerned and dissatisfied with the proposals required by government to implement the National Scheme of Delegations and its impact on the ability of councillors, at all levels of local government, to undertake their democratic duty to scrutinise planning proposals.
“These changes will significantly reduce the number of applications that can be considered by elected councillors in public committee meetings. Put simply, the government’s desire to centralise will denigrate democracy locally. We are, therefore, calling on government to look again at the regulations as a matter of urgency, and safeguard local democratic decision-making.”
Planning Portfolio Holder, Councillor Phil Bundy, said: "Our planning committees are made up of dedicated and well-trained councillors who take their responsibilities extremely seriously.
"Test Valley has a long history of decision-making that balances efficiency with appropriate public scrutiny. We believe there should remain greater flexibility and scope for councils to refer any applications of significant local interest to committee, including where they are contrary to the Neighbourhood Development Plans our communities have produced, or are now bringing forward.”
Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Neil Gwynne, said: "This is an issue that affects communities across Test Valley, regardless of political views. Residents rightly want confidence that important planning decisions are being made openly and transparently.
"That is why councillors from across the chamber have come together to voice concerns about the harmful impact these changes could have on local decision-making and community involvement."
Click here to read the letter sent to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. (pdf, 291kb)