30/10/2026
🧱 New Planning Rules Take Effect From Tomorrow (31st October) 🧱
A number of major changes to our planning system are due to take place from tomorrow. Below we have summarised these changes but for further information on any rural planning matters, please get in touch ...
End of Standard Councillor Call-Ins: Ward councillors can no longer demand a controversial application go to a public committee hearing purely via a standard call-in request.
Objections Do Not Trigger Committees: Local objections, parish/town council requests, or high volumes of public protest will no longer automatically force an application before a planning committee.
Presumption of Officer Delegation: Most routine and minor applications (including householder developments, 1–9 homes on small sites, minor commercial proposals, lawful development certificates, and prior approvals) must be decided directly by planning officers.
Gateway Test for Major Applications: Major or contentious applications (Schedule 2) will only reach a committee if they raise major strategic, environmental, or social issues and both the council’s nominated senior planning officer and the nominated committee chair explicitly agree to refer them.
Smaller Committee Sizes: Planning committees are legally capped at a maximum size of 13 members, and members must undergo mandatory training.
