Wandsworth Council has adopted new planning regulations, mandating officer-led decisions for a majority of planning applications. The changes, approved by the General Purposes Committee on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, align the council's constitution with national legislation, The Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026.

The new regulations require all Local Planning Authorities to adhere to the updated national scheme of delegation by 31st October 2026. This shift means that delegated officer decisions will become the default for both Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 applications, significantly reducing the range and volume of applications that can be referred to and determined by the Planning Applications Committee.

Councillor Jo Rigby clarified the committee's role, stating, We're voting to have the changes legally taken on board by the council. We're not voting on whether we agree with the changes or not. Despite acknowledging the legal necessity, councillors expressed reservations. Councillor Malcolm Grimston proposed a recommendation, seconded by Councillor Rex Osborne, to note with deep regret the changes to the planning regulations which remove an important way in which local representatives can shape the environment in which their residents live.

Under the new framework, a wide array of applications, including householder development, minor commercial and residential projects, reserved matters approvals, and prior approvals for permitted development, will now be determined by officers. According to Schedule 1 of the Regulations, there are no grounds for these Schedule 1 applications to be referred to the Planning Applications Committee for consideration, other than in cases of own interest applications.

Referral to the Planning Applications Committee will be an exception, reserved for specific circumstances. An application may be referred if the Chief Planning Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Planning Applications Committee, is satisfied that the application raises an economic, social, or environmental issue of significance to the local area, or a significant planning matter when considering the development plan and other material considerations. Such referrals must also be consistent with the National Scheme of Delegation. Importantly, referral solely due to the number of objections or requests by Ward Members will not apply if it contradicts the National Scheme of Delegation.

To ensure transparency and public engagement, a record of cases considered for referral, including the outcome and reasons for the decision, will be maintained by the Chief Planning Officer and the Chair. This record will be reported regularly to the Planning Applications Committee. Furthermore, a triage system will be implemented to manage routine matters and applications, which will be subject to ongoing review to maintain a balance between democratic member oversight and practical efficiency.

These changes are expected to streamline the planning process, potentially leading to faster and more consistent approvals for many types of development. The full details of the council's decision can be found in the public reports pack for the General Purposes Committee meeting on 13th October 2026 Public reports pack 13th-Oct-2026 19.30 General Purposes Committee.

Agenda frontsheet 13th-Oct-2026 19.30 General Purposes Committee