Burnham to Give England's Mayors Power to Override Councils on Major Planning Decisions

Andy Burnham will publish consultation proposals next week giving England's devolved mayors power to call in planning applications, direct councils to approve or refuse them, and grant upfront permission so developers can build without a separate application. Ten of fourteen mayors across multiple parties back the move, aimed at unblocking housing delivery. The Lib Dems call it a "direct attack" on residents.