After the Ballots: What Changes for Planning?

We can all agree that the local election results were a disaster for Keir Starmer and his Labour Party. A key message was sent to Number 10, the ramifications of which are likely to continue to spiral over the coming weeks. But what are the ramifications for the planning and development world, and more generically local democracy?

In her statement issued over the weekend - a last chance warning to Starmer and his leadership - Angela Rayner once again earmarked planning reform as a key driver for growth and change. She talked of the need to go further still with reform – to deliver schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure – linking the ‘devolution revolution’ to this drive in change. But when will this change be seen on the ground, where it matters?

The devolution programme and local government re-organisation is set to redraw our local political landscape. Changing how and where decisions on planning matters are made; but progress, understandably, is slow. This large-scale re-organisation cannot happen overnight. So, what happens in the interim?

The Green Party and Reform UK, made historic inroads by taking full control of several local authorities that, until recently, would have been thought impossible. Dealing with these local authorities – such as Lewisham, Havering, St Helen’s, Sunderland – now means getting to grips with a new party and their political drivers. This is not insurmountable – we already have a base understanding of where their priorities lie, the difficult bit is seeing how they behave in power.

There will no doubt be nervousness amongst some promoters and developers – particularly where they are now faced with dealing with Reform which have made their feelings well-known on the Grey Belt policy. But, the fact that we know their stance and how they are likely to approach it gives us some stability. Messaging and strategies will need adapting, but this is the nature of planning.

Where there is more concern lies in the local authorities where the elections returned no clear leader – the No Overall Control results. This is where the next few days leading up to their Annual Councils are pivotal. Deals need to be struck and alliances made, to establish a stable administration. This is how it's always been done.

But, we are not in normal political times. The fractiousness of politics is now a defining feature. Labour groups have made it clear they will not form an alliance with Green party members, Conservatives will not join with Reform UK. This potentially makes the Liberal Democrats and/or Independents the key councillors with power in these local authorities.

Historically, to strike such a deal and convince an Independent or other party to help your group form an administration you have to throw a juicy bone. Usually this is planning related – the chair of the planning committee, or even the relevant cabinet role.

So once again, planning becomes a political football. Which isn't ideal when you are looking for stability. Furthermore, it will result in planning committees becoming more unpredictable, in places where previously they had not been.

Then there are the inevitable trickles of defections which have increasingly become a feature as the main two political parties have weakened.

All this leads to the need to stay on top of things. Understand your audience, and, in some cases, put the pressure on to guide 'rookie' decision-makers through the process.

The coming weeks are going to be important nationally and locally. I for one will be watching closely.