The government publishes a consultation (until 04/05/2026) relating to consulting the Secretary of State on certain planning decisions …

The government has published the following consultation, which runs for 6 weeks from 23/03/2026 until 04/05/2026:

Consultation document:

  • March 2026: Consulting the Secretary of State on planning decisions (link) (pdf print version of HTML webpage).

Notes:

  • The webpage (link) for the above consultation document includes the following information:
    - "The consultation is set out in 3 sections:
    >>> a new proposal for a requirement to consult the Secretary of State where LPAs are minded to refuse planning permission for specified commercial development [with a floorspace of 15,000m2 or more]
    >>> a new proposal for a requirement to consult the Secretary of State on certain applications relating to nuclear facilities where LPAs are minded to refuse planning permission
    >>> a new proposal for a requirement to consult the Secretary of State on certain applications for planning permission for residential development within a Defence Detailed Emergency Planning Zone. This requirement would have a limited geographical extent (4 LPAs)"    .
  • Note: The above reference to commercial development "with a floorspace of 15,000m2 or more" is from "Section 1" within the above consultation document.

Other sources of information:

  • March 2026: Written statement to Parliament by Matthew Pennycook MP (link).