National
Changes to Planning Decision-Making from October 2026
The Planning
and Infrastructure Act 2025 introduces national changes to how certain planning
applications will be determined under the National Scheme of Delegation.
From 31
October 2026, many lower-complexity applications, including householder and
minor development proposals (known as Schedule 1 applications), will be decided
by planning officers under delegated powers rather than by Planning Committees.
Committees will instead focus on larger, more complex, or more strategically
significant applications. The Local Authority is therefore updating its
constitution to reflect the new national requirements. Existing arrangements
such as councillor call-ins and automatic committee referrals based solely on
the number of objections will also be removed.
Further
information is available in the Government’s guidance on Planning Committees
and the National Scheme of Delegation: Planning Committees and the National Scheme of Delegation of
Planning Functions: Guidance for local planning authorities in England - GOV.UK
The Council
operates with two area-based planning committees, split on an east and west
basis.
Eastern BCP
Planning Committee comprises the following Wards:
Boscombe
East & Pokesdown
Boscombe
West
Bournemouth
Central
Burton &
Grange
Christchurch
Town
Commons
East Cliff
& Springbourne
East
Southbourne & Tuckton
Highcliffe
& Walkford
Littledown & Iford
Moordown
Mudeford, Stanpit
& West Highcliffe
Muscliff & Strouden
Park
Queen's Park
Wallisdown
& Winton West
West
Southbourne
Winton East
Planning
applications falling within more than one Committee area shall be determined by
the Committee in whose area contains the greater proportion of land within the
red line application site boundary.
The
Committee has the following protocols:
Protocol
for Public Speaking / Statements at Planning Committee
Protocol
for Site Visits at Planning Committee
Protocol
for Planning Committee in relation to Pre Application Presentations