Mayors get planning overrule powers

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to give mayors in England new powers to overrule local councils on major planning decisions. The proposals, to be unveiled next week, would allow mayors to 'call in' decisions on developments of more than 150 homes, commercial spaces over 15,000 square metres, or buildings 30 metres or taller, and direct councils to approve or refuse them. Mayors could also grant upfront permission for development, bypassing the need for developers to apply. The move, backed by ten of the fourteen devolved mayors, brings them in line with United Kingdom — London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who received similar powers earlier this year. The government aims to implement the changes by the end of the year under the English Devolution Act, without new legislation. The policy is part of efforts to boost housing supply, with the government just over a quarter of the way to its target of building 1.5 million homes in five years. Mayors will also gain more influence over United Kingdom — Homes England funding and can charge a development levy for infrastructure. The United Kingdom — Liberal Democrats criticized the move as a 'direct attack' on communities, while Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly warned it strips councils of local decision-making power.