PM Andy Burnham to give mayors power to take control of planning decisions and force through developments

Andy Burnham is set to hand mayors new powers to overrule councils and take control of local planning decisions.

Mayors will be allowed to "call in" decisions, and direct councils to take them forward or refuse them, in proposals to be unveiled next week.

They will also be able to grant upfront permission, so developers can start building without having to apply.

This will apply to developments of more than 150 homes, commercial spaces of more than 15,000sq m, or any building 30m or taller.

Mr Burnham, previously Manchester's mayor, told The Sunday Times that he understood the argument that devolving powers to mayors to drive through such projects could disempower councillors, MPs and constituents.

He said: "Sometimes... challenge does need to be made to local decision-making, and actually it cuts both ways.

"It's not all about Nimbyism. Sometimes it's the other way round.

"It's a local authority putting forward something that's unacceptable in terms of the impact on the community... so it's a two-way street."

The decisions must align with planning rules, local plans set out for areas and the national policy on developments, and ministers will still have a backstop power to intervene.

Mayors will also get more of a say on how national housing funding from the Homes England government agency will be spent in their areas.

Additionally, they will be able to charge a levy on development to fund major infrastructure.

The government is just over a quarter of the way to its five-year target to build 1.5 million homes in England.

Ten of the 14 devolved mayors have backed the move.

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It will bring them into line with London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who was already given the powers earlier this year in what was billed as an emergency measure aimed at unblocking dozens of stalled sites to get thousands more affordable homes constructed in the capital.

Objections

Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly warned that the government was "simultaneously stripping councils across the country of their ability to make planning decisions in their own communities, while making it easier to build traveller sites against local wishes".

The Liberal Democrats called the move a "direct attack" that would silence residents.

Gideon Amos, the party's housing and planning spokesperson, said: "Taking powers away from communities and local councillors is taking powers away from local people. This plan is a direct attack on communities across the country.

"Labour's chaotic patchwork approach to devolution will simply not work to solve the housing crisis.

"Instead of silencing residents and handing mayors a blank cheque, the government should be empowering local councils with the resources to deliver genuinely affordable homes alongside the infrastructure to support them."

The plans come just weeks after Mr Burnham announced that English mayors will be allowed to keep a share of the taxes collected in their area.

The prime minister said allowing mayors to keep a share of income tax and business rates will help to promote growth "in every postcode".

(c) Sky News 2026: PM Andy Burnham to give mayors power to take control of planning decisions and force