What does the general election mean for your planning applications?

With a surprise July general election just announced, it’s crucial that developers understand what impact it will have on their planning applications, whatever stage in the process they may be.

Not only are councils (officers and elected officials) used as the delivery arm for elections, but they will also be bound to some extent by 'purdah’.

Understanding what this means is critical to avoid your planning applications being used as a political football.

There is going to be very little that can be counted as normal for planning and developers over the next six weeks.

The impact on council resources

Elections are a huge exercise in logistics and many council staff will get seconded to support the organisation of election activities. Local councillors will also be tied up as they are out campaigning for their party’s Westminster candidate. This will influence resourcing within council planning departments and the likely attendance at committees and meetings as members opt to be out on the streets campaigning, rather than in the council offices.

The impact of 'purdah'

'Purdah' refers to the pre-election period that begins with the dissolution of parliament or the announcement of local elections, during which restrictions are imposed on public bodies, including local councils and national government departments. These restrictions are designed to uphold political neutrality and prevent the use of public funds and resources in influencing voter opinion, ensuring a fair and impartial election process at both local and national levels.

Like December 2019, this general election doesn’t align with local elections. However, local authorities still operate under general election purdah rules meaning avoiding any action that might be seen as influencing national politics or benefiting specific parties at national level. This means not issuing major policy announcements and not using council resources for campaigning.

Planning is one of the council activities (alongside licensing) that must continue during a period of purdah due to its quasi-judicial status. However, councils must avoid getting involved in any controversial issues and they will attempt to push back controversial schemes.

What does this all mean for the planning process?

• Planning committees must go on – but applications may get delayed: All planning applications, including those that are controversial, must still be determined. Planning committees remain active, adhering to their non-partisan role to ensure fair decision-making. However, with stretched resources it is likely that committee agendas could change, and the determination of applications could be delayed.
• Controversial statutory consultations will be avoided: Starting new statutory consultations on local plans or planning applications is typically avoided during this time if they are likely to be seen as politically sensitive. However, if a consultation is already in progress and pausing it would be impractical or costly, it may continue if the topic is non-controversial.
• Sensitive appeals will be postponed: Politically sensitive planning appeal decisions, such as those involving major contentious issues like developments in the Green Belt or significant housing projects on greenfield sites, will most likely be deferred by the Planning Inspector until after the election.
• But Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) will continue: NSIPs are bound by statutory timelines and their examinations will proceed according to their scheduled timetables.

How can we help?

If you have a live application, you may want advice on what might happen and what you can do to avoid delays to help navigate this six-week period.

If you have a project in the pipeline, now is the time to start planning your next steps, as at long last there is certainty over election timelines.

We can help – get in touch.

You can email us at: [email protected]

Website: https://eqcommunications.co.uk

Tel: 020 3617 6359