Changes to how planning applications are decided

Find out how national changes have affected planning decisions 

From 31 October 2026, new national regulations introduced a national scheme of delegation for planning applications in England. 

The regulations set out which types of planning application must be determined by planning officers and which types of application may be considered by planning committee. 

At East Hampshire District Council, planning applications will continue to be assessed against planning policy and all material planning considerations. The changes only affect how decisions are made and whether certain applications are eligible to be referred to planning committee. 

You can read: 

• The council's planning committee referral protocol
• The planning committee's role and terms of reference within the council's constitution

What has changed? 

Under the national scheme of delegation: 

• more routine, technical and smaller-scale applications must be determined by planning officers under delegated powers
• planning committee will focus on applications that raise significant planning issues and meet the national and local referral criteria
• not all major applications will automatically be considered by planning committee

What has not changed? 

• residents can still view and comment on planning applications
• planning officers will continue to consider all representations received. 
• decisions must still be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise
• planning applications will continue to be assessed against national planning policy, local planning policy, consultee responses and other relevant planning matters

How the process works 

1. Every planning application is initially processed as a delegated application 
2. Applications are categorised in accordance with the national scheme of delegation and EHDC’s constitution 
3. Applications that fall within Schedule 2 are reviewed against the national referral criteria and the Council's Planning Committee Referral Protocol 
4. The nominated planning officer and nominated councillor consider whether the application should be referred to Planning Committee 
5. Where referral criteria are met, the application may be presented to Planning Committee for determination 
6. All other applications are determined by planning officers under delegated powers. 

Why does the planning portal show 'delegated' as the decision level? 

All planning applications are recorded on the Council's planning system as delegated when they are first validated and processed. This is an administrative step that reflects the requirements of the national scheme and the Council's Planning Committee Referral Protocol. 

The fact that an application is shown as "delegated" does not mean it cannot be referred to Planning Committee. 

Applications that fall within the relevant Schedule 2 categories are reviewed through the Council's referral process. Following consideration by the nominated planning officer and nominated councillor, an application may be referred to Planning Committee where it meets the required criteria. 

The status displayed on the planning portal should therefore not be taken as confirmation that Planning Committee involvement has been ruled out. 

What do the changes mean for residents 

You still have the opportunity to comment on planning applications. 

All comments received during the consultation period will continue to be considered before a decision is made. Officer reports will explain how relevant planning issues and representations have been taken into account. 

The changes affect who may determine an application, not whether public comments are considered. 

What do the changes mean for applicants 

Many routine, technical and smaller-scale applications will now be determined by planning officers. 

Applicants should continue to submit clear, accurate and comprehensive information to support their proposals. Applications will still be assessed against planning policy and consultation responses in the normal way. 

What do the changes mean for councillors 

Ward Members continue to have an important role in representing the views and concerns of their communities. 

Councillors may raise planning issues relating to applications and, where appropriate, request that eligible Schedule 2 applications are considered through the referral process. However, national regulations now limit the circumstances in which applications can be referred to Planning Committee.

How planning decision are made 

The national scheme categorises planning applications into two broad groups. 

Schedule 1 applications 

These applications must be determined by planning officers and include: 

• householder applications
• minor residential development (up to 9 dwellings)
• minor commercial development (up to 1,000 square metres of floorspace)
• prior approval applications
• non-material amendments
• certificates of lawfulness
• discharge of condition applications
• other routine and technical planning applications specified by the regulations

Schedule 2 applications 

These applications may be considered for referral to planning committee where relevant criteria are met and include: 

• major residential development (10 or more dwellings)
• major commercial development (more than 1,000 square metres of floorspace)
• reserved matters applications for major development
• applications seeking amendments to major developments
• retrospective planning applications
• listed building consent applications
• advertisement consent applications
• applications relating to protected trees

A schedule 2 application is not automatically determined by planning committee.

Applications must first be assessed against the criteria contained within the national regulations and the council's planning committee referral protocol. 

Applications that may be referred to planning committee 

In accordance with the national regulations and the council's planning committee referral protocol, applications may be referred to planning committee where they raise significant planning issues and satisfy the relevant referral criteria. 

Particular consideration is likely to be given to applications involving: 

• significant departures from the development plan. 
• major applications where there is a genuine question regarding compliance with adopted planning policy. 
• applications raising substantial economic, environmental or social impacts for the district. 
• council development or other applications where committee scrutiny is considered necessary to maintain public confidence and transparency. 
• other matters identified within the planning committee referral protocol. 

Frequently asked questions 

Can I still object to or support a planning application? 

Yes. Public comments continue to form an important part of the planning process and will be considered before a decision is made. 

Does this mean councillors no longer determine planning applications? 

No. East Hampshire District Council continues to operate a planning committee made up of elected councillors. However, national legislation now limits the types of application that can be referred to committee. 

Will fewer applications go to planning committee? 

In most cases, yes. The national scheme is intended to ensure that routine, technical and smaller-scale applications are determined by officers, allowing planning committee to focus on more significant proposals.

Who decides whether an application is referred to planning committee? 

The council's nominated planning officer and nominated councillor jointly consider eligible schedule 2 applications against the national referral criteria and the council's planning committee referral protocol. 

Why does the planning portal say 'delegated'? 

All applications are initially processed as delegated applications. This is an administrative requirement and does not mean that an eligible application cannot later be referred to planning committee. 

Can a ward councillor request committee consideration? 

Ward councillors may raise concerns and request consideration through the referral process where an application falls within the categories capable of referral. Any referral must still satisfy the national and local criteria. 

Are committee decisions still based on planning policy? 

Yes. Whether determined by officers or Planning Committee, planning decisions must be based on the development plan and other material planning considerations. 

Why has the Government introduced these changes? 

The Government's stated aim is to create greater consistency in decision making across England, reduce unnecessary committee involvement in routine applications and enable planning committees to focus on proposals of greater strategic importance.