Barnet councillors have voiced strong opposition to government reforms that they claim will diminish local democratic control over planning decisions, potentially excluding residents from public consultation through rapid, digitised feedback windows that narrow how and when the public can object.
During a council meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, councillors debated a motion expressing concern over changes to the Planning and Infrastructure Act and the National Planning Policy Framework. Councillor Shimon Ryde, who moved the motion, argued that these reforms risk reducing the influence of locally elected councillors and limiting opportunities for local challenge. The specific provisions causing concern include a new system of delegation where councillors will no longer be able to call in applications for public debate at planning committees. Residents' objections to smaller schemes, regardless of the number received, will not trigger referrals to the planning committee, and household developments like extensions will be decided exclusively by officers. For large, developer-led applications, the presumption will be that they are determined under delegated powers by officers.
Development is the single most powerful driver of irreversible change in our communities,
Councillor Ryde stated. And the planning system controls that change. It must be answerable to residents and their elected representatives. It must be transparent and open to public scrutiny. It must allow residents and elected members to help shape the future of the places where we live.
The motion highlighted recent decisions by City Hall and the Secretary of State that disregarded local wishes regarding developments such as High Barnet and Finchley Lido. Councillors also expressed regret over the Secretary of State's decision not to call in a proposed major development at Edgware, despite significant concerns raised by local residents and the council's Planning Committee. The concerns related to serious fire concerns in the Edgware development.
Amendments to the motion were proposed by Councillor Charli Thompson and Councillor Ross Houston. Councillor Thompson's amendment emphasised that housing targets should reflect local needs and that local councillors understand their communities best, advocating for genuinely affordable housing and more family homes.
Councillor Houston's amendment sought to clarify points regarding the delivery of social and affordable homes and the role of the Deputy Mayor, noting that the Deputy Mayor is a civil servant, not an elected official. The amendment also clarified that the Secretary of State's decision on Edgware had upheld the local decision.
The substantive motion, as amended, was carried, with the council resolving to oppose further centralisation of planning powers and to ask the Leader to write to the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London expressing the council's concerns. The meeting details can be found in the Agenda frontsheet and Public reports pack.
