‘Definitely in favour’ or ‘step in the wrong direction’: Tees Valley mayor set to get more planning powers

Changes to planning policy are currently making their way through parliament, with greater powers going to the regional level, while councillors will be weakened. Some councillors have voiced their hopes and fears about these changes.

During a wider discussion on planning matters, including garden villages and spatial development strategies, at Mayor’s Question Time on Wednesday March 18, Tees Valley Conservative Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Under the devolution bill that’s going through, not only am I getting the ability to call in planning applications – take them off the council.

"I can also overturn councillor decisions that have been taken at their local planning committee, if I think they are incorrect. I can also issue mayoral development orders, which will in effect, grant planning on the pieces of land.”

A selection of councillors from across the region – who currently sit on the local council planning committees – were asked what they thought about the changes. There was much hesitancy about the legislation, but some were more in favour of the change due to the incumbent mayor being Mr Houchen, while one councillor was particularly reluctant due to what he sees as Mayor Houchen’s lack of a housebuilding strategy.

MICA Councillor Ian Morrish, from Middlesbrough, is “definitely in favour” of the measures overall, but said he would like to see an appeal opportunity for “local community groups”, which would be cheaper than the current “expensive option of going down the route of a judicial review”.

He highlighted how he thought it would be beneficial for there to be a “right of appeal” for the recently approved 205-home Nunthorpe development, which was voted through in February, after councillors seemed set to reject it. Coun Morrish voted to reject the plans in that instance.

On the political landscape, he said: “Currently we have a Tees Valley mayor, who I don’t distrust,” but was worried about the new policies “working against us in the future”. As long as Mayor Houchen is in charge, he described the proposals as “reasonable”. The MICA councillor also highlighted the unknown of what the government is going to come up with next, regarding further powers for regional mayors.

Coun Morrish discussed Mayor Houchen’s experience with planning as Middlesbrough Development Corporation (part of wider TVCA) is the local planning authority for the town centre. He also thought the bill was poorly named.

Currently called the ​’English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill’, Coun Morrish highlighted how it would be taking power away from the people of Middlesbrough and giving it to the Tees Valley mayor, so really the empowerment is regional.

Meanwhile, Darlington Green Councillor Richard Lawley highlighted how he has lived in the town his entire life, is active in his local community, and questioned how a regional mayor could better understand Darlington, arguing: “All we would be doing is adding a further layer of complication to something that is often already complicated by national government.”

He thought that the changes risk turning planning into a “massive political football”, when planning “is meant to be a quasi-judicial function based on facts”, with only matters that have planning weight allowed to be considered.

He described the proposed policy change as a “step in the wrong direction”, saying that Green principles mean decisions “should be made as close as possible to those people who have to live with them” and “we are fighting to have local people more involved and engaged in collaborative decision-making, not less”.

Middlesbrough Labour Councillor Ian Blades said he “fully” supports the principle of stronger regional oversight and favours steps that “genuinely streamline” the planning process.

But, the Labour councillor also has “real reservations” about Mayor Houchen specifically wielding the powers.

Coun Blades said: “There is little evidence of a clear vision for house building or regeneration coming from his office, and no meaningful track record that suggests he knows how to use these powers effectively. My concern is that centralising authority in this way, without the strategic leadership to match it, risks creating more uncertainty rather than improving outcomes.”

He added: “Local councillors understand their communities and the long-term needs of their areas. Weakening that local democratic role only makes sense if the alternative is demonstrably better, and at present I am not convinced that is the case.”

Government guidance on the bill highlights how mayors will play their part in helping the government achieve the target of 1.5m homes this parliament. Middlesbrough Conservative Councillor David Coupe said: “Some governments, they just want to build, build, build, but the thing is, you’ve got to remember the people who are there.

"It’s like saying, if you ever go to Downing Street, shall we knock Downing Street down and put a block of flats there?”

He said he didn’t want to see local democracy removed, and while he trusts Mayor Houchen “explicitly”, he pointed out that the regional mayor could change, saying he is “fearful” for the future, with the level of power being entrusted into one person.

The changes would result in the local planning committees being “toothless”, as the regional mayor can overturn decisions. He added: “Once you’ve got the system in, it’s very difficult to change it.”

Responding to concerns raised by Coun Blades, Mayor Houchen said: “The progress we’ve made in bringing jobs and investment to Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool is clear, and I’m pleased the Labour government has recognised this by giving us the powers to go even further and deliver more for local people.”