Research and analysis

RPC Opinion: Planning committee modernisation IA

Regulatory Policy Committee opinion of MHCLG's planning committee modernisation IA

• From: Regulatory Policy Committee
• Published: 30 July 2026

Documents

RPC Opinion: Planning committee modernisation

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RPC Opinion: Planning committee modernisation

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Details

The proposal is to introduce secondary legislation establishing a National Scheme of Delegation for planning decisions in England. The Regulations would require specified categories of planning applications to be determined by planning officers and would allow other categories to be referred to planning committee only where specified gateway criteria are met and a nominated planning officer and nominated committee member agree referral.

The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) gave a ‘green’ rating to the impact assessment on 16 July 2026. This means that we considered it to be ‘fit for purpose’ based on our scrutiny of the evidence and analysis supporting the case for why regulation is necessary.

The RPC’s opinion refers to the evidence and analysis presented in the impact assessment, not the policy itself.

Published 30 July 2026