Changes to the way planning applications are considered by City of Lincoln Council will be introduced from 31 October 2026, following significant changes to the national planning system.
The reforms, introduced by the Government through the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and supporting regulations, will see most planning decisions delegated to planning officers, with Planning Committees focusing on larger, more significant or sensitive applications.
City of Lincoln Council’s Executive is being asked at the next Executive meeting on 15 September, to endorse changes to the council’s Constitution to reflect the new national arrangements, before they are considered for approval by Full Council.
Under the new National Scheme of Delegation, certain types of planning applications will have to be determined by planning officers. Larger or more complex applications will also generally be decided by officers but can be considered by Planning Committee where they meet specific national criteria.
For an application to be referred to Planning Committee, it must raise either a significant planning issue in relation to the development plan or other material considerations, or a significant economic, social or environmental issue for the local area.
A new triage process is also proposed to help manage applications before they reach the formal referral stage. This will include officers assessing applications to determine whether they meet the threshold for consideration under the national gateway process.
The changes mean that ward councillors and local objections will no longer be able to automatically require an application to be referred to Planning Committee, as is currently possible under the council’s local scheme of delegation.
Residents and statutory consultees will continue to be able to submit comments on planning applications, which will continue to be taken into account as part of the planning process.
The new arrangements will also reduce the maximum size of a Planning Committee to 13 members. The Government has also indicated that Planning Committee members will be required to undertake accredited planning training, with further details expected in due course.
Kieron Manning, Assistant Director for Planning and City Services at City of Lincoln Council, said:
“Planning plays an important role in shaping the future of our city, so it is important that we are prepared for these significant changes to the way planning decisions are made.
“Our priority is to make sure the new system works as effectively as possible for Lincoln, while continuing to ensure that significant planning matters receive the appropriate level of scrutiny.
“We will continue to engage with residents and communities through the planning process, and their views will remain an important part of how planning applications are considered.”
The proposed changes to the council’s Constitution also include updates to its Probity in Planning Code, Site Visit Code and Protocol on Public Speaking, alongside other minor amendments required to reflect the new legislation.
The changes are due to come into effect alongside the national reforms on 31 October 2026.