Government warns lagging councils of ‘tough action’ on local plans
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has warned local authorities currently working without an adopted local plan that central government could use intervention powers to take over the process, as part of proposals to speed up housing development.
Currently fewer than a third of local councils have up-to-date local plans, framework documents intended to set out the direction of development for local authority areas for the next decade or more.
Development and consultation on plans can take several years under the current system, but the government wants to speed up the process as part of proposals to deliver a target of building 1.5m homes by the end of 2029.
This month, the government launched updated procedures, which it says will “streamline” how the documents are prepared and examined across England.
It says its new two-and-a-half-year local plan process will “create a clear end-to-end framework” for creating and adopting plans, and will include checkpoints at three crucial stages of the process; scoping and priority setting, the creation of a draft plan, and readiness for examination.
The new policy is expected to take effect from early 2026.
“In order to deliver the homes and growth the country needs, we expect all local planning authorities to make every effort to get up-to-date local plans in place as soon as possible,” Pennycook told the House of Commons, via a written statement on 27 November.
“Local plans are the best way for communities to shape decisions about how to deliver the housing and wider development their areas need. In the absence of an up-to-date plan, there is a high likelihood that development will come forward on a piecemeal and speculative basis, with reduced public engagement and fewer guarantees that it will make the most of an area’s potential.”
He added that local authorities currently working without up-to-date local plans would be encouraged to bring forward proposals as soon as possible under transitional arrangements following the commencement of the new regulations.
In an update issued to councils this month, the government says it will provide “dedicated guidance and tools” to support organisations bringing forward a local plan in the new system – as well as £14m in funding to support the process.
Local authorities will have to commence formal plan making 31 October 2026, while those that have a plan that is already over five years old must commence by 30 April 2027 – with Pennycook warning that the government could step in for planning authorities which are dragging their heels.
“The government is committed to taking tough action to ensure local authorities have up-to-date local plans in place,” he added.
“While we hope the need will not arise, we have made clear that we are willing to make full use of available intervention powers – including taking over a local authority’s plan making directly – if local plans are not progressed as required.”
Liverpool ASAP
By Anonymous
Now that Labour are in Government Liverpool has no more excuses. As a proud Scouser it’s depressing driving into Manchester and seeing how far ahead they are. Manchester sits on the same table as Barcelona, Amsterdam and Munich now. Liverpool needs to wake up it’s getting beyond a joke now.
By Liverpool needs ambition
Liverpool has had plenty of local plans but not much has changed. People who go on about Tories are starting to realise it’s the terrible local politicians who are the problem.
By Trevor
That’s local democracy for you but let’s have more local mayors.
By Anonymous
It’s not just authorities dragging their feet in adopting local plans, Mr Pennycook needs to be looking at authorities whose local plans are holding back investors and restricting development, and Liverpool is a perfect example with It’s height restrictions and constant over interference in developers plans.
By Anonymous
I’m pretty sure Wirral is the only LA in the Northwest with an up to date local plan which was adopted as recently as March this year. Probably why the other councils are seeing so many speculative applications.
By Alex Steer
Every housing minister for the past decade has said the same (all 16 of them!). I’ll believe Pennycook is serious when he takes action, not just issue warnings.
By Anonymous
Most Liverpudlians now realise it’s the local labour party that is responsible for the cities decline. Manchester is outward looking and thinks big. Liverpool MPs and councillors are stuck in the 1980s and obsessed with Thatcher. The truth is Labour has been a disaster for our city.
By Tommy
Imagine if Howard Bernstein became Leader of Liverpool City council 30 years ago. I genuinely believe the waterfront would like like Shanghai. As long as Liverpool keeps voting for clueless people who dont know how big cities work the decline will continue.
By Peter Philipson
Too many local authorities pander to Nimbys and we wonder why nothing ever gets built. Liverpool is the obvious example but it’s a nationwide problem. It’s only Manchester who rightly ignore the naysayers and just get on with it.
By Noel
I remember Starmer said he would “Turbocharge” places like Liverpool. He probably didn’t understand how dysfunctional the cities politics are. Politics in Merseyside is very parochial and inward looking.
By Nick T
December 01, 2025 at 4:11 pm By Peter Philipson
Shanghai?.. it’s a stinky unstable tower city on sewage quicksand… aim for Singapore or go bust!
By Anonymous
Thank heaven Liverpool DIDNT have Bernstein..
There would be no trace of Liverpool left.. Bernstein didn’t develop Manchester he helped sell it up the euro swanny.. the eggs of that basket are showing signs they are about to ripen..
By Anonymous
I’m afraid that Liverpool is years behind due to political in fighting and competing egos within parts of the city’s public sector. Having a Metro Mayor that was imposed on the city has had little or no real impact.
By Anonymous
A polite reminder that comments should be about the story – which is centred on local plans and not what one thinks of Liverpool City Council. Thank you.
By Julia Hatmaker
We know the Government wants to dramatically boost housing construction but when Liverpool had a plan for rebuilding the North End of Liverpool via new town status, they ignored it.
At the other end of the spectrum have any local plans recently ever specifically included new, well designed, high-density,urban homes in Granby, in fact I can’t think of anything decent being built in Granby for decades.
By Anonymous
Interesting video on YouTube recently from CityEd called How Manchester became the uk’s Yimby city. Makes for great viewing and shows what you can achieve with the right environment.
By Anonymous