20/10/2026
π Don't be spooked by planning committee changes!
Huge, quiet changes are coming to Planning Committees in England on 31 October 2026. Labour are stripping back call-in powers, making it far harder - and for many minor developments, impossible - for ward councillors to send planning applications to committee for a public decision.
Under the new rules:
β Schedule 1 applications (like housing under 10 units, householder extensions, and minor commercial builds) can no longer be called in. They will be automatically delegated to council officers.
β Objection thresholds are banned. Even if an application gets 1,000 local objections, it cannot automatically go to committee.
β οΈ Schedule 2 applications (major developments) can still be called in, but only if strict planning grounds are met and agreed.
This is a direct hit on local democracy, but it shouldn't stop you fighting for your community.
ALDC has launched a brand-new Planning Campaign Pack to help you fight back. It includes:
ποΈ A Template Council Motion to oppose these government changes in your chamber.
π Updated Consultation Leaflets, Press Releases, and Resident Emails tailored for both Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 developments.
π Download the full campaign pack and template motion in the comments
