Planning Committees and the National Scheme of Delegation: What’s Changed and Why It Matters (June 2026)
The Government has introduced a statutory, nationally standardised Scheme of Delegation that every Local Planning Authority (LPA) in England must now follow.
This is one of the most significant governance reforms in recent years – reshaping who makes planning decisions, how applications move through the system, and where democratic oversight sits.
The changes are legally binding and will require all LPAs to update their constitutions, referral processes and committee structures ahead of implementation in October 2026
The Legal Framework Behind the Changes
The new national scheme is not guidance – it is statutory.
LPAs must “have regard to” it when setting their decision‑making arrangements.
It is introduced through
- Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025
- Amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (new ss. 319ZZC–319ZZF)
- Town and Country Planning (Discharge of LPA Functions) (England) Regulations 2026
Non‑compliance is high‑risk:
If a committee determines an application that should have been delegated, the decision may be open to judicial review and potentially quashed.
This is a major shift in the legal landscape.
What the Reform Is Trying to Achieve
The national scheme is designed to
- Improve consistency across LPAs
- Increase efficiency and reduce delays
- Ensure committees focus on high‑impact or controversial cases.
- Reduce the historic variation in local delegation schemes.
- Prevent committees being used for routine or policy‑compliant applications.
In short:
More officer decisions, fewer committee bottlenecks, and a more predictable system.
The New National Delegation Structure
The reform introduces a two‑tier model that every LPA must adopt.
Tier 1 – Mandatory Officer Determination (Schedule 1).
These applications must be decided by officers.
They cannot be referred to committee under any circumstances.
Tier 2 – Presumed Officer Determination (Schedule 2).
These applications are presumed to be delegated to officers, unless specific criteria are met.
The Gateway Test for Committee Referral
Committee referral is only allowed if
- Statutory significance criteria are met (economic, social or environmental importance; significant planning issues).
- Dual authorisation is given (Chief Planning Officer + nominated member, usually the committee chair).
This replaces:
- Ward councillor call‑ins.
- Objection thresholds.
- Automatic triggers.
It is a controlled, auditable, officer‑member gatekeeping mechanism.
What This Means for Committees and Governance
- Committees become the exception, not the default.
- Committees focus on strategic or controversial cases.️
- Committee size capped at 13 members.
- LPAs must update their constitutions.
This is a full governance reset for many authorities.
Timeline
Guidance published: 1 June 2026
Regulations take effect: 31 October 2026
LPAs must update their governance arrangements before this date.
The national Scheme of Delegation is a major structural reform.
It formalises an officer‑led system, introduces a controlled gateway for committee involvement, and creates a consistent national approach to decision‑making. For developers, promoters and landowners, understanding the new framework is essential — it will shape timelines, risk and strategy across every project from autumn 2026 onwards.
Only time will tell how the implementation of the new approach progresses…..
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