Nine local authorities have been stripped of their power to decide major planning applications after the Government ruled they were performing poorly, prompting accusations that ministers are undermining local democracy.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has designated Cherwell District Council, Dacorum Borough Council, Epping Forest District Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Rossendale Borough Council, South Tyneside Council, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Wychavon District Council under section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook wrote to each council on 15 June confirming the decision, stating they were ‘not adequately performing’ their function of determining applications for major development. Designation is based on a council's record on the speed and quality of decision-making, including how often its refusals are overturned at appeal; authorities are expected to keep that rate below 10%.

As a result, applicants for major housing and commercial schemes can now bypass the councils' planning departments and apply directly to the Planning Inspectorate instead. The designations remain in force until the Government is satisfied performance has improved.

Cllr Chris Whitbread, leader of Epping Forest District Council, where more than 90% of the district is Green Belt, called the move ‘an attack on local democracy and accountability,’ arguing that councillors must balance Government pressure to build with the concerns of existing residents.

Cllr Lesley McLean, leader of Cherwell District Council, said the decision was ‘disappointing and frustrating,’ pointing to progress made since the assessment period used by MHCLG ended in March 2025. ‘The Government appears more interested in judging Cherwell's past performance than recognising the progress being made today,’ she said.