The Strategic Planning Committee of Westminster Council met on Wednesday 29 July 2026 to discuss proposed changes to planning decision-making processes and the approach to public consultation on planning matters. The meeting's agenda focused on the implementation of a new National Scheme of Delegation for planning applications and the development of an updated framework for consultation and engagement in Westminster's planning policy.

Implementing the National Scheme of Delegations

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of government reforms that will introduce a mandatory National Scheme of Delegation for planning decision-making. These changes, stemming from the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026, are set to come into effect on 31 October 2026. The report pack outlined that the new scheme will establish a two-tier system, differentiating between planning applications that must be determined by officers and those that may be referred to committee.

Applications listed in Schedule 1 of the Regulations will be automatically delegated to officers. This category includes householder applications, minor residential and commercial developments, discharge of conditions, reserved matter approvals for non-phased development, lawful development certificates, and non-material amendments. Schedule 2 applications, such as major applications, Section 73 applications, and those relating to trees, listed buildings, and advertisements, are presumed delegated but can be referred to committee if specific criteria are met. These criteria require agreement from both the Chief Planning Officer and a Nominated Member that the proposal raises significant local economic, social, or environmental issues, alongside substantial planning matters.

The report pack indicated that Westminster Council had responded to the government's consultation on these changes in 2025. The implementation of the new scheme will necessitate amendments to the Council's Constitution, which are to be considered by the General Purposes Committee before being recommended to Full Council in September 2026. The report also highlighted that these changes are expected to reduce the committee's caseload by approximately one-third, potentially requiring a review of the frequency of planning committee meetings. Transparency will be maintained through publicly available records of decisions on application referrals and a published Protocol detailing the gateway process.

Consultation and Engagement Approach for Planning in Westminster

The committee was also scheduled to discuss the implications of recent changes to the national planning system, specifically The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, for planning policy and consultation activities in Westminster. These regulations introduce a revised, structured five-stage process for preparing Local Plans, with a statutory 30-month timeframe and enhanced early engagement requirements. Westminster Council has begun preparing a new City Plan under this framework and is currently in the initial 'Get Ready' stage.

The report pack explained that the requirement for a 'Statement of Community Involvement' (SCI) has been removed under the new regulations. However, Westminster Council intends to maintain a clear framework for community involvement by preparing two standalone documents: one for planning policy and another for development management. An updated document, titled 'Consultation and Engagement Approach for Planning in Westminster', has been prepared to guide stakeholder participation in the preparation of the new City Plan and future planning policy work.

Key changes in this updated approach include updated legislative references, the removal of outdated requirements, expanded guidance on consultation at each stage of the City Plan process, and an updated range of engagement methods, including the use of digital platforms and targeted sessions. The Council plans to consult on this document in early Autumn 2026, fulfilling the regulatory duty to ask stakeholders how they wish to be involved. An Equality Impact Assessment will also be prepared as part of the broader engagement programme for the new City Plan to ensure the needs of individuals with protected characteristics are considered.

The meeting was also scheduled to include brief discussions on upcoming training for the committee and any other urgent business that the Chair considered appropriate.