Residents are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with national changes to the planning system that come into effect from 31 October.

The changes have been introduced by Government and will apply to local planning authorities across England.

They will affect how planning applications are decided and the circumstances in which applications can be considered by a Planning Committee. Under the new rules, some types of planning application must be decided by planning officers, while others may still be considered by committee if they meet criteria set out in a new national framework.

Importantly, residents will still be able to comment on planning applications and relevant planning matters raised during consultation will continue to be considered as part of the decision-making process. Residents will still be able to speak for three minutes at the committee meeting. Under the new arrangements, councillor and Parish Council call-in powers are removed.

The council will also publish information about applications considered for referral to committee, including the outcome and reasons behind decisions, helping to ensure transparency within the new system.

Councillor Tony Harwood, Maidstone Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Management, said: "The key message for residents is that their ability to comment on planning applications is not changing.

"These are national changes being introduced across England. While the process for deciding some planning applications will change, local people will still be able to submit their views and relevant planning matters raised through consultation will continue to be taken into account.

"We know planning applications can generate a great deal of local interest, so we want residents to understand what is changing and what is staying the same.

"I would encourage anyone with an interest in planning matters to read the information available on our website and familiarise themselves with the changes before they come into effect."

FAQs

What is changing?

New national planning legislation comes into force on 31 October 2026. It changes how planning applications are considered and which applications can be referred to Planning Committee.

What is not changing?

Residents will still be able to comment on planning applications. Relevant planning matters raised through consultation will continue to be taken into account before a decision is made.

Is this Maidstone Borough Council's decision?

No. These changes have been introduced by Government and apply to local planning authorities across England.

Will Planning Committee still exist?

Yes. Some applications may still be considered by Planning Committee if they meet the criteria set out in the national framework.

Can councillors or Parish Council still call applications into committee?

No. The new national rules remove councillor and Parish Council call-in powers.

Will applications go to committee if lots of people object?

Not automatically. Under the new rules, applications will not be referred to committee solely because a particular number of objections have been received.

Do my comments still matter?

Yes. All relevant planning matters raised through consultation will continue to be considered by the decision-maker, whether that is a planning officer or Planning Committee.

Will the new process be transparent?

Yes. The council will publish information about applications considered for committee referral, including decisions and reasons.

---