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National Scheme of Delegation

From 31st October 2026, the National Scheme of Delegation will come into force, changing the way planning decisions are made by officers and members of the Planning Committee.

Where previously, every local council created its own scheme of delegation, the new rules create one standard rulebook for the whole country, which by law we will now need to follow.

What are these changes?

The new scheme of delegation introduces a two-tier system (applications that fall into schedule 1 and applications that fall into schedule 2), with only planning applications falling under the Schedule 2 category and meeting the gateway test, being considered by members at the relevant Planning Committee.

Find out more about application types on GOV.UK

The Gateway Test

A schedule 2 application can only be referred to Planning Committee if it passes a Gateway test.

To be considered, a Councillor referral must:

1. have completed a Gateway Assessment form

2. submit the Gateway Assessment form before the closure of the consultation period

Find your councillor and their contact details.

The Gateway tests are:

Test A: where the application raises a significant planning matter, having regard to the development plan and any other material planning considerations.

Test B: Where the application raises an economic, social or environmental issue of significance to the local area.

What are material planning considerations? - Planning Portal advice

Please refer to the below National Scheme of Delegation flowchart for guidance on whether a planning application can be considered:

At the Gateway meeting the Nominated Officer (Head of Planning) and the Nominated Member (Committee chair) will assess the referral and, where both agree that at least one of the gateway criteria are met, the application will be reported to Planning Committee for determination. Where both agree that the gateway criteria are not met, the application will be determined under delegated powers.

Please note, a request does not in itself justify referral to Planning Committee. Any decision to refer it to Planning Committee rests with the Nominated Officer and Nominated Member having regard to the Regulations, statutory guidance and this Protocol.

All decisions at the Gateway test will be recorded and reported to the Planning Committee on a quarterly basis.

How will delegated planning applications be determined?

The way we consult residents, interested parties, and statutory and non-statutory consultees will not change. We will continue to notify residents and publicise planning applications via site notices, press notices and via our weekly lists, and we continue to invite comments before a decision is made.

All applications will continue to be assessed by planning officers in accordance with the development plan and any other material planning considerations.

Planning applications will continue to be published online via our website for review, together with reports and decision notices where available.