Mayor confirms planning decisions will be reviewed ‘in the region’ amid controversial Government changes

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has said controversial planning applications will be reviewed within the region and not from Westminster amid significant changes to the planning process, writes Local Democracy Reporter, James Robinson. New powers will reduce the role of councillor committees in a bid to speed up development.

It is part of plans to streamline the planning system and hit the Government’s target of 1.5 million new homes. However, local councillors in many areas have raised concerns this could negatively impact local democracy.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Mayor Kim McGuinness addressed the concerns and argued local residents would still have a voice. Under new powers, regional mayors will have the chance to ‘call in’ contentious applications for review.

To guide this, the mayoral authority is working with the region’s local councils to develop a new planning policy setting out the vision for development across the North East. Known as the Spatial Development Strategy, the plan will cover the period up to 2055.

Work has been ongoing since July last year, and it is expected that a draft strategy will go out to public consultation next year.

Ms McGuinness said: “Planning is really sensitive. It’s vital we make decisions with local people at the heart.

“For me, that means more decisions made locally. There’s an awful lot of concern and fear about the way planning decisions are going to be made, but I think this cross party spatial strategy that sets out our vision puts us one step ahead of that and leaves us with nothing to be concerned about.

“This is to make sure planning decisions are made here in the North East rather than by Government ministers. Nobody here wants that.

“I would never review a single application without visiting the site and understanding what local people think.”

A report presented to members highlighted that the SDS will not allocate sites for development. This will remain within the power of local councils through their respective planning policies, known collectively as local plans.

Most councils are refreshing their local plans in light of the significant planning changes.

Cabinet member for housing Coun Christopher Eynon, the Reform UK leader of Sunderland City Council, said; “A lot of residents across Wearside are very sceptical about losing any sovereignty over their planning reights.

“I think if it was a choice of sending those planning decisions to Whitehall or staying within the region, the region would obviously be preferable. It’s statutory, we have to go along with it.

“I would encourage all people to contribute to their local plan. The SDS is the overarching strategic plan above all of them.”

Northumberland County Council’s Conservative leader Coun Glen Sanderson added: “I do have to say I think this whole issue around planning will probably be the biggest test so for between our authorities and the mayoral authority.

“We will only get through it if we trust each other, it’s as simple as that. I’m hopeful that we will do that.

“There are a large number of concerned members in my council about this.”

Ms McGuinness replied: “This is about getting our ducks in a row so we’re ready for some of the controversial decisions that will have to be made. There will be more conversations about planning as we move forward, but we are ahead of the game and ready to go.”