Tower Hamlets Council is set to reform its planning committee system to align with new national regulations, aiming to streamline decision-making and focus committees on more significant applications.
The changes, which come into effect on October 31, 2026, will introduce a National Scheme of Delegation (NSD) that categorises planning applications into two schedules. Schedule 1 applications will be automatically delegated to officers, while Schedule 2 applications may be referred to a committee if a nominated officer and member agree that the proposal raises significant economic, social, or environmental issues, alongside substantial planning matters.
A key change will be the removal of local thresholds, such as the 20-objection rule, for referring applications to committee. This means that even applications with numerous objections may be decided by officers if they do not meet the new gateway test criteria. The gateway test
for Schedule 2 applications requires a nominated officer and a nominated member to agree that the proposal raises one or more issues of economic, social or environmental significance to the local area
; and one or more significant planning matters, having regard to the development plan.
This test focuses on whether the proposal raises these specific issues, rather than deciding on permission.
To adapt to these changes, Tower Hamlets Council is proposing to retain its two planning committees, the Development Committee and the Strategic Development Committee, but will revise their terms of reference. Option 2, which involves maintaining both committees with revised terms of reference to better balance their agendas, has been recommended by officers. The rationale for retaining two committees is to better balance their agendas and reflect the impact of the National Scheme of Delegation, ensuring that committees focus on applications of strategic importance.
Proposed Revisions to Committee Terms of Reference:
- Development Committee: Will consider and determine Schedule 2 applications referred via the gateway process (not falling under the Strategic Development Committee's remit), 'Own-Interest Applications' requiring committee determination, and applications subject to non-determination appeals. It will also receive presentations on pre-application proposals, consider matters referred by the Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration, and submit recommendations to the Cabinet on planning policy reviews. Nominated officers include the Director of Planning and Building Control, Head of Development Management, and Area Planning Managers. Nominated members are the Chair and Vice-Chair of the committee.
- Strategic Development Committee: Will consider and determine Schedule 2 applications meeting specific categories of potential strategic importance, as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008 (e.g., large-scale development, major infrastructure). It will also handle 'Own-Interest Applications' within these strategic categories and applications subject to non-determination appeals. Similar to the Development Committee, it will receive pre-application presentations and consider matters referred by the Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration. The existing 30-metre height threshold for referrals will be removed, replaced by simplified development thresholds aligned with the Mayor of London Order categories. See pages 77-79 of the Public reports pack
Councillor Elliot Mears expressed concern that the removal of objection thresholds could reduce transparency and residents' ability to have their voices heard, questioning the vagueness of the new gateway test criteria. Officers acknowledged these concerns and indicated that the Council would review its Statement of Community Involvement to provide clearer guidance to residents on making representations and that pre-application presentations could offer earlier opportunities for input. The Council plans to ensure that representations raising material planning considerations will still be addressed in officer reports for delegated decisions and will factor in resident issues when deciding on Schedule 2 referrals, even if objection volume alone is no longer a trigger. See page 72 of the Public reports pack
The changes are anticipated to lead to a slight increase in the delegation of applications to officers, with approximately 98% already delegated. The primary impact will be on committee caseloads, potentially reducing cases determined by the Development Committee by 50-55% due to the removal of the 20-objection threshold. This reduction may be offset by an increase in 'own-interest applications' related to the council's housing programs. See page 71 of the Public reports pack
The proposed changes will necessitate amendments to the council's constitution, which will be presented to the General Purposes Committee and then Full Council in October 2026.
