Important Changes to How Planning Applications Will Be Determined
Sefton Council would like to inform residents, applicants and interested parties of important changes to the way planning applications will be determined following the introduction of the National Scheme of Delegation, which comes into effect on 31 October 2026.
The new system introduces a nationally prescribed approach to determining which applications must be decided by planning officers and which can be considered by Planning Committee.
The New National Scheme of Delegation
Under the new arrangements, planning applications will fall into one of two categories, known as Schedule 1 and Schedule 2:
Schedule 1 Applications
Schedule 1 applications must be determined under delegated powers by the Chief Planning Officer.
Schedule 2 Applications
Schedule 2 applications will also be determined under delegated powers by the Chief Planning Officer unless they meet at least one of the nationally prescribed referral criteria, known as the ‘Gateway Test’s.
The Gateway Tests are:
- Gateway Test 1 – relates to development that raises significant planning policy issues.
- Gateway Test 2 – relates to development that raises significant local environmental, social or economic issues.
Both categories are now shown in the Council’s constitution as part of a broad package of changes that were approved by Full Council on 17th September 2026.
What This Means for Existing Local Procedures
As a result of the introduction of the National Scheme of Delegation, local procedures currently operating within Sefton Council, which enabled application, will cease to apply from 31 October 2026.
This includes:
- Requests by elected Members to "call in" planning applications for Planning Committee consideration.
- Petitions endorsed by Ward Members for committee determination.
- Receipt of 5 or more objections on a major application.
Transitional Arrangements
The legislation does not include any transitional arrangements for applications that are already within the planning system.
This means that from 31 October 2026, all planning applications that are awaiting determination must be considered under the new National Scheme of Delegation, regardless of:
- The date the application was submitted;
- Whether the application had previously been requested for committee consideration by a councillor; or
- Whether petitions had been submitted in support of committee consideration.
The Council is required to apply the legislation that is in force at the time a planning decision is made.