28/08/2026
🔵 North East communities could lose their say over major developments under plans to give mayors new powers to overrule local planning decisions.
Andy Burnham is backing proposals that would allow regional mayors such as Kim McGuinness to “call in” major planning applications and potentially overturn decisions made by local councils.
The powers would apply to developments of more than 150 homes, commercial spaces exceeding 15,000 square metres or buildings taller than 30 metres.
But the plans have sparked a backlash in Tory-run Northumberland, where annual housebuilding targets have already jumped from 549 to 1,649 homes.
Coun Colin Horncastle warned the changes could mean communities “losing even more control over what is built in their towns and villages”.
He said Northumberland is already being asked to accommodate almost 1,700 new homes every year, arguing that local people need a genuine say over where development takes place and what infrastructure comes with it.
“We absolutely need new homes, including affordable homes for local families,” he said, but added that they need to be “the right homes in the right places”, supported by roads, schools and GP surgeries.
He questioned whether residents would rather have decisions made by their local councillors or by “Kim McGuinness and the Mayoral Authority based in Newcastle”.
McGuinness's mayoral authority said it would study the Government consultation and work with local authorities before responding.
The proposals come as the Government remains just over a quarter of the way towards its target of building 1.5 million new homes in England within five years.
