Changes to planning decisions: what it means for you

At Elmbridge Borough Council’s 22 July meeting, Councillors will consider a report on upcoming government mandated changes to national planning rules impacting councils nationwide, which are expected to come into force at the end of October 2026.

While these national planning requirements are evolving, we want to reassure residents that local priorities will continue to be an important part of planning decisions, sitting alongside the new rules.

We know how important planning decisions are to our community. They shape the places where we live, work and spend time, so it’s understandable that any changes can raise questions.

The government is introducing mandatory national planning reforms from 31 October 2026 that will prescribe which planning applications must be determined by officers and which may be considered by planning committees. These changes will apply to all councils, and we will be required to update our decision-making processes and governance arrangements to comply with the new regulations.

While some parts of the process will change, what matters to residents will not.

• Planning applications will still be carefully considered by experienced planning officers, using both national planning policies and Elmbridge’s own local policies. Planning Officers at Elmbridge currently determine 96% of applications.
   
• Residents will still be able to comment on applications, and those views will continue to be taken into account. We encourage people to stay involved by sharing their views and signing up for planning alerts to keep up to date.
   
• Councillors will also continue to play an important role. Applications that are more complex, sensitive or have a bigger impact on the community can still be decided by a planning committee. There are clear rules in place to make sure these types of applications can still be considered by councillors.

We understand some residents may be worried about fewer applications going to committee. These changes are designed to allow straightforward applications to be decided more quickly, while making sure councillors can focus on the cases where their input matters most.

Councillor Caroline James, Portfolio Holder for Planning Services said:

“Residents should be reassured that their voice will continue to matter. While the Government's reforms will change how some planning applications are determined, local views will still be considered and decisions will continue to be based on national and local planning policies. Councillors will remain involved in the applications that matter most to our communities, and we will continue to ensure planning decisions are made fairly, transparently and in the best interests of Elmbridge residents.”

We remain committed to making planning decisions fairly, transparently and in a way that reflects local needs, with residents continuing to play an important part in the process.

Planning changes: your questions answered

Q: What changes are being introduced to who makes planning decisions?
A: The government is introducing new national rules that set out who and how planning applications should be decided. These rules will clarify which applications are decided by council officers and which can go to a planning committee. 

Q: Why are these changes being made?
A: The changes are being introduced nationally by the government to make planning decisions more consistent across the country and to help speed up straightforward applications. 

Q: Can the council choose not to implement these changes?
A: No. These are national requirements and all councils must update how they work to reflect them.  If we don’t make these changes and applications are determined by the wrong-decision maker, there is a risk that decisions could be open to legal challenge. If this occurs and decisions are delayed or made inconsistently with the new national rules, there is an increased risk of appeals. If we are found to have behaved unreasonably, there is also the potential for awards of costs against the council.  Failure to comply with the new rules could also increase the risk of intervention by the Secretary of State in our decision-making processes. 

Q: When will the new rules come into effect?
A: The government is expected to publish the final rules in summer 2026, with full implementation by 31 October 2026.

Q: Who will make planning decisions in future?
A: Planning officers will decide many applications, particularly straightforward ones. Councillors will continue to be involved in more significant or sensitive cases. It is worth noting that Planning Officers at Elmbridge currently determine 96% of applications.

Q: Will fewer applications go to planning committee?
A: Yes, fewer applications are expected to go to committee. However, those that meet certain criteria, such as having a significant economic, social or environmental impact to the local area, can still be considered by councillors. 

Q: Who decides whether an application goes to committee?
A: In some cases, the nominated council officer and nominated Councillor will discuss whether a planning application should be considered by the Planning Committee. The final decision rests with the nominated officers. The nominated Councillor will be the Chairman of Planning Committee, and the officer will be Head of Planning and Environmental Health. The Vice Chairman and Development Manager will be able to deputise. This reflects the collaborative approach already in place, with officers and Councillors working closely together to ensure applications are handled appropriately and consistently.

Q: Will my views still matter?
A: Yes. Residents will still be able to comment on planning applications, and those views will continue to be taken into account when decisions are made by planning officers or, where relevant, the Planning Committee. If a decision is appealed, the Planning Inspector will also consider the comments and evidence submitted as part of the process.

Q: How can I stay involved in planning decisions?
A: You can:

• Submit comments on planning applications
• Sign up for planning alerts to be notified about applications in your area
• Continue talking to local ward Councillors as you do now

Q: Will local priorities still be considered?
A: Yes. The basis of planning decisions will continue to be made using both national and local planning policies, ensuring local priorities remain important. 

Q: Will councillors still be involved and can they raise concerns about applications?
A: Yes. Councillors will continue to play an important role in the planning process, particularly for applications that are complex, sensitive or could have a significant impact on the local area. They can still submit their views on applications and may ask for an application to be considered by the Planning Committee if they believe it meets the relevant criteria.

Councillors who sit on the Planning Committee, or who may substitute on the committee, must remain open-minded and cannot make up their minds about an application before all the relevant information has been considered. This is the same approach that applies now and helps ensure decisions are made fairly and in line with planning policies.

Q: Will the process still be fair and transparent?
A: Yes. The council remains committed to making planning decisions fairly, consistently and openly. There will be clear reporting on where requests for applications to be considered by the Planning Committee have been made, the reasons why, whether the referral is agreed or not and why this decision was reached This information will be regularly reported back to the Planning Committee, helping to ensure transparency, and accountability.

Q: What are the main benefits of these changes?
A:
Faster decisions for straightforward applications
More consistent decision-making nationally
Councillors can focus on the most locally significant applications 

Q: Will this make decisions quicker?
A: Yes. Straightforward applications can be processed more efficiently. 

Q: I’m worried about losing local input.
A: It’s understandable to have concerns but residents can continue to have their say through the planning process by submitting comments or speaking to their ward councillors.

Q: How will I know more as things progress?
A: We will share updates through its website, social media, and newsletters, and will clearly explain any changes to how planning decisions are made. 

There will also be regular reporting on which applications are referred to the Planning Committee, why they were referred, and whether decisions were made by the Head of Planning or the Committee, helping to ensure transparency and accountability.