Regional mayors are to be given sweeping powers to overrule local council planning decisions and grant developers upfront permission to build without submitting standard applications, under proposals to be presented by the government next week.

The measures are intended to prevent councils blocking major developments and accelerate housebuilding, with the government having reached only a quarter of its 1.5 million target two years after the 2024 general election.

Under the plans, mayors will be able to 'call in' planning proposals for more than 150 homes, commercial premises exceeding 15,000 square metres, and buildings taller than 30 metres. Mayors will have the authority to direct councils to approve or reject schemes, as well as granting upfront development rights.

Ten of England's 14 devolved mayors have backed the measures so far. London Mayor Sadiq Khan was already granted similar powers earlier this year as an emergency measure to boost affordable housing.

The 13 other combined authority areas set to gain the powers include Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, the West Midlands, the West of England, Tees Valley, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North East England, York and North Yorkshire, Hull and East Yorkshire, Greater Lincolnshire, the East Midlands, and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the policy, telling the Sunday Times that challenge to local decision-making 'cuts both ways' and is not solely about overcoming local opposition. He argued that mayoral oversight would encourage councils to negotiate acceptable solutions, asking: 'Do you want somebody who's elected by the people of that area to consider a decision, or a far less accountable decision-making process?'

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has described the powers as an 'essential part of the toolkit' for mayors. Alongside planning intervention, mayors will also receive greater control over housing funds, with Homes England instructed to align its work with mayoral priorities. Ministers have insisted councils will still handle the vast majority of local planning applications.

The policy has drawn sharp criticism across the political spectrum. Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly accused ministers of stripping councils of decision-making powers and argued the Conservatives' plan to scrap stamp duty on family homes is the only credible way to boost construction.

Liberal Democrat housing and planning spokesperson Gideon Amos condemned the proposals, warning that taking decisions away from local councillors removes power from communities and urging ministers to fund local councils instead of giving mayors a 'blank cheque'. Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali previously described the reforms as 'more tinkering', while Reform UK labelled them 'centralisation in disguise'.

A formal consultation detailing how the call-in powers and upfront permissions will work will be published next week. I will be following the details closely as they are released.