National Scheme of Delegation - Changes to the Planning Process

From 31 October 2026, the National Scheme of Delegation comes into force, changing the way planning decisions are made by officers and members of the Planning Committee.

These are national, mandatory changes brought about by the government that result in significant changes in the way the planning process works.

The aim is to create one process for all Councils in England.

The new scheme of delegation introduces a two-tier system: 

Schedule 1 – these applications will always be delegated to officers. They include:

• householder development
• minor residential development (development that creates 1 to 9 new homes or residential development on a site of less than 0.5 hectares where the number of homes is not specified)
• minor commercial development (relating to Class E of the Use Classes Order)
• applications made under a condition
• reserved matter approvals on outline applications that are not a large outline permission
• prior approvals
• non-material amendments
• certificates of lawfulness 

Schedule 2 – applications will be delegated to officers by default but may be referred to Planning Committee in exceptional circumstances where they meet specific criteria and pass a Gateway Test. They include:

• any application that is not a householder, minor commercial or minor residential application
• applications to vary conditions (s73) of Schedule 2 applications
• retrospective planning applications
• significant changes to planning obligations 

Local Variations agreed by Council – Schedule 2 applications always delegated to officers.  They include:

• reserved matters
• removal of conditions
• listed building consent unless total demolition
• applications to vary, discharge or removal conditions on a listed building application
• advertisements
• tree preservation orders
• applications recommended for refusal 

Under the National Scheme of Delegation, existing local arrangements, such as councillor call-in requests, objection number thresholds, and ‘controversial applications’ will no longer apply.

Gateway Test     

A Schedule 2 application can only be referred to Planning Committee if it passes a Gateway Test.
Ward Councillors may submit a written request for referral to be considered under a Gateway Test explaining why the application meets one or more of the following criteria:

• It raises one or more issues of economic, social or environmental significance to the local area.
• It raises one or more significant planning matters having regard to the development plan.

Planning officers will carry out an assessment of significance before deciding whether a referral should be considered.

An application may only be referred to the Planning Committee where both the Chief Planning Officer (or equivalent) and the Nominated Member (the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee) agree that at least one of the Gateway Test criteria has been met.

Own Interest Applications

Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 applications made by the Council, Councillor or officer of the Council or where any of them have an interest in that application, may also be referred to Planning Committee for consideration in certain cases.

How applications will be determined

The way we consult residents, interested parties, and statutory and non-statutory consultees will not change. We will continue to publicise planning applications and invite comments during the notification period before a decision is made.

All applications will continue to be assessed by planning officers in accordance with the development plan and any other material planning considerations.

Application documents will continue to be published on our online planning register, together with reports and decision notices where available.

For applications that fall within Schedule 2 of the National Scheme of Delegation, we will publish decisions on whether an application is referred to the Planning Committee or determined by officers.