Further Planning Reform announced: consultation on the statutory consultee system open
As part of the Government’s wider growth package, a second phase of planning reform has been announced with various policies in the pipeline (the first stage comprising changes including the mandatory and higher housing targets, changes to Green belt policy, and the introduction of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill).
In a statement published on 18 November 2025, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed announced three further pro-growth actions designed to accelerate house building. These comprise streamlining the role of statutory consultee in the planning system, unleashing development around rail stations and increased government intervention to support growth. While the consultation on statutory consultees has been launched, it is expected that further consultation and/or legislative action on the remaining policies will be released in due course.
According to the Government, the reforms are intended to “reduce delays and uncertainty” in the planning process and “remove bottlenecks to economic growth”.
The statutory consultee system
Under the current statutory consultee model, Local Planning Authorities are legally required to consult a number of specific bodies when dealing with certain planning applications. Statutory consultee input is intended to ensure that planning decisions meet legal requirements across a number of areas such as environment, flood risk, heritage, and highways safety. While critical support safeguards to ensure that various public and environmental interests are considered in the planning system, the current model has been subject to criticisms, highlighting system inefficiencies, delays, inconsistent advice and mixed engagement from consultees.
Reform proposals
The consultation proposes a number of changes to the statutory consultation system. A number of the key proposals are set out below.
Removal of statutory consultee status for certain bodies
Sports England, the Gardens Trust and Theatres Trust will be removed as statutory consultees although mitigation measures are envisioned to ensure that these bodies are notified of certain significant cases.
Reducing blanket referrals from local planning authorities
By identifying cases which do not meet referral criteria or are already subject to standing advice to limit engagement of statutory consultees to those applications where it is considered essential.
Supporting impactful engagement of statutory consultees
Through engaging consultees in local plan and spatial development strategies at an early stage and avoid ‘double-handling’ – where consultees have agreed on strategic mitigations at local plan level, a case by case consideration may not be required.
Funding and resourcing
Funding consultee activity through a planning fee surcharge and directing £1 million of funding to key statutory consultees as a part of the New Homes Accelerator to deliver targeted support to large and complex development sites.
Performance framework
Performance metrics will be developed to be aimed at the largest national statutory consultees and an annual meeting to be established to address performance, issues and qualitative feedback from stakeholders including industry, local planning authorities and relevant government bodies.
Broadly, the reforms are intended to support the Government’s housing delivery goals through reducing inefficiencies in the planning system – a theme which runs through much of the Government’s existing planning reform. Considering the reform in its broader context, the narrowing of involvement of statutory consultees in individual applications was also seen in the government amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (Lords amendment 36) which would excuse Natural England from responding to requests for advice on specific planning matters where a policy statement setting out how those matters would be handled is published.
The consultation is open until 13 January 2026 and available here.
Further consultations in the pipeline
Unleashing development around rail stations
A new policy proposed by the government will see a ‘default yes’ being given to suitable planning applications which propose development within walking distance of train stations. The policy is intended to provide greater certainty for developers at the application stage and allow these developments to move through the planning process more quickly. It is proposed that this will also apply to land within the Green Belt subject to the Golden Rules requirements being met.
By providing working families a greater opportunity to live close to transport hubs, it is hoped that this policy will unlock benefits for jobs, education and sustainable growth. It is expected that this policy will be consulted on as a part of a wider consultation on a revised, more ‘rules-based’ NPPF before the end of the year.
Greater Government Intervention in the Planning System
Reed’s statement referenced the need for the Secretary of State to use his call-in powers in a “more focused and active way” in building sufficient housing to address the housing crisis. The outline proposals would require local authorities to notify the Secretary of State where they intend to refuse applications for 150 homes or more to allow the Secretary of State to consider whether to call-in that application for determination. Potential new provisions that will allow called-in applications to be dealt with through written representations rather than an inquiry have also been referenced as a way to speed up the planning process for those applications.
It is expected that this policy will be promulgated through a Consultation Direction issued to local planning authorities, further legislative change and a revised call-in and recovery policy.
In a wider move to alter the call-in process, this announcement comes after the government’s proposed amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill which would allow the Secretary of State to give directions restricting a local planning authority’s ability to refuse to grant planning permission in certain circumstances while ministers consider whether to call-in that application was voted down by the House of Lords.
Conclusion
The consultation on statutory consultee reform signals a clear intention by the government to continue to streamline planning processes and accelerate housing delivery. This fits into the broader narrative around changing the planning system as we await publication of the revised NPPF which we understand will seek to “establish a more rules-based planning system”.
With the consultation open until 13 January 2026, stakeholders should review the proposals carefully and consider how these changes may impact application strategy and wider development pipelines as well as implications of a more targeted role for statutory consultees.
