Durham Council crticises Government planning law changes

Cross-party members at Durham County Council criticised the changes, imposed through national legislation, which means planning committees will be replaced by a single panel.

The changes, brought in to comply with the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, will see the council’s County Planning Committee, three Area Planning Committees and Highways Committee replaced by a single Planning and Highways Committee.

Joe Quinn, the council’s cabinet member for planning, investment and assets, said the new arrangements would make decision-making “more efficient and effective”, but acknowledged they would reduce local decision-making powers.

He told councillors: “To do nothing is not an option. We have little to no choice on this matter and we can thank the Labour Government for that.”

The reforms also mean many smaller planning applications, including householder, minor residential and minor commercial developments, must be decided by planning officers rather than councillors under a new national scheme of delegation.

Larger applications, changes to existing permissions and proposals involving listed buildings or tree preservation orders may still be considered by the committee, but only if they pass national “gateway tests” agreed by both a senior planning officer and a nominated councillor.

Yet, the changes prompted criticism from opposition members.

Labour group leader Rob Crute said: “This is a retrograde step. It’s taking away the voice of local people.”

Green councillor Jonathan Elmer described the reforms as “a disgrace”, adding: “The loss and influence of local communities is a very serious matter.”

Liberal Democrat leader Amanda Hopgood said she wanted safeguards to prevent developers taking advantage of the new arrangements.

She said: “This is absolute madness. We all know how developers like to, on occasion, circumnavigate the system and once planning permission has been approved, then come back for extra.”

Deputy council leader Darren Grimes also raised concerns about the impact on residents.

He said: “Residents feel utterly powerless and this will render them more so.”

The government says the Planning and Infrastructure Act is designed to speed up planning decisions by ensuring committees focus on the most significant or controversial applications, while routine cases are determined by officers.

Durham County Council said the constitutional changes were necessary to ensure it complies with the new national planning framework.