Tower Hamlets residents are voicing concerns about potential implications for their ability to influence local planning decisions following upcoming changes to council committee procedures.
New national regulations, set to take effect on October 31, 2026, will introduce a National Scheme of Delegation (NSD). This aims to standardise which planning applications are handled by officers and which are brought before elected members. The rationale behind this national shift is to provide greater clarity and consistency across planning authorities regarding the role of planning committees in decision-making. The aim is to ensure that committees focus on applications of strategic importance, while routine and technical decisions are determined by officers.
A key change is the removal of local thresholds, such as the 20-objection rule, for referring applications to committee. This is expected to lead to a significant reduction in the number of applications considered by the Development Committee, potentially by 50-55%. Instead, referrals will be based on whether an application meets new gateway test criteria.
Under the NSD, planning applications will be divided into two schedules. Schedule 1 applications will always be delegated to officers, including minor developments and those with fewer than 10 homes. Schedule 2 applications, which include major developments, listed building consents, and works to protected trees, may
be referred to a committee. Referral of Schedule 2 applications to committee must follow a new gateway process. These may only be referred to committee where the Chief Planning Officer (or equivalent) and Nominated Member (expected to be a Planning Committee Chair or deputy chair) both agree that the proposal will raise:
- 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.
Where agreement cannot be reached, the application is to be determined by officers. The Statutory Guidance makes it clear that these are the only criteria for referring applications to a committee.
Councillor Elliot Mears expressed significant concern, stating that the removal of objection thresholds would reduce transparency and residents' ability to have their voices heard.
He questioned the vagueness of the criteria for referring applications to committee under the new system.
Tower Hamlets Council is proposing to retain its two planning committees but will amend their terms of reference. The council's officers acknowledged residents' concerns and indicated that the council would review its Statement of Community Involvement to provide clearer guidance on making representations. The council is considering updating its Statement of Community Involvement to incorporate clearer advice on how to focus representations appropriately. This may include guidance for residents on what constitutes material considerations and what does not. Pre-application presentations are also being considered as an earlier opportunity for public input.
The changes will require amendments to the council's constitution, which will be presented to the General Purposes Committee and then Full Council in October 2026. The proposed changes to the council's constitution will be presented to the General Purposes Committee and then to Full Council in October 2026. The meeting information does not detail specific opportunities for resident input during this process.
Public reports pack 01st-Sep-2026 18.30 Development Committee.pdf
