New legislation lets mayors veto council planning rulings

The UK government has announced that elected mayors will soon have the power to intervene in local planning decisions, including the ability to overturn a council’s refusal of a housing application. The change is designed to speed up the construction of new homes in areas where mayors already oversee strategic development.

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the reform is "essential" for mayors to "effectively deliver new homes" and to address the country’s chronic shortage of affordable housing. By placing a higher‑level decision‑maker above individual councils, the policy aims to cut red tape and reduce delays that can stall projects for years.

The new authority will apply to England’s combined‑authority regions that have directly elected mayors, such as Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and London. While the exact criteria for invoking the power have not been disclosed, officials indicated that it will be used only in cases where a council’s decision is deemed to impede national housing targets.

Local government leaders have expressed mixed reactions. Some welcome the prospect of a faster planning process, while others warn that bypassing elected councillors could undermine local accountability. The government, however, maintains that the measure is a necessary tool to meet its goal of building hundreds of thousands of homes each year.

The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year, with implementation to follow after a period of consultation with stakeholders. If approved, mayors will gain a formal mechanism to ensure that housing projects aligned with national priorities are not stalled by local opposition.