Schedule 2
Bexley Council has adopted new procedures under a national scheme of delegations, allowing officers to decide smaller planning applications, a move some councillors criticised.
Bexley Council approved new planning procedures on 4 November 2026. These changes, part of a national scheme of delegations effective from 31 October 2026, mean council officers will now determine smaller planning applications, including householder extensions and developments of up to nine homes. Some councillors described the changes as "undemocratic" or "anti-democratic", noting that the legislation removes planning powers from elected councillors across England.
The new national scheme of delegations, which includes Schedule 2 applications, mandates these changes across all English councils. This means that planning applications meeting specific criteria, after an officer triage test, may be considered by planning committees. No upcoming meetings are listed where this topic is on the agenda.
Key facts
- Bexley Council approved new planning procedures on 4 November 2026, allowing officers to determine smaller applications. Source
- A new national scheme of delegations, effective 31 October 2026, mandated these planning procedure changes. Source
- Under the new rules, officers will determine householder extensions and developments of up to nine homes. Source
- One councillor described the changes as “entirely undemocratic and entirely unnecessary”. Source
- The legislation removes planning powers from elected councillors across all of England. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 6 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.