Mayors to get powers to bulldoze through major housing developments under Andy Burnham devolution push

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 08:05, 23 August 2026 | Updated: 08:07, 23 August 2026 Mayors are to get powers to bulldoze through major housing developments under Andy Burnham's devolution push. The local leaders will be able to overrule councils to green light significant building projects - or block them.  As well as 'calling in' decisions made by authorities, mayors will be allowed to grant upfront permission so developers do not even have to apply. The move comes as Labour looks doomed to fall short of its manifesto pledge to build 1.5million homes in England over five years. However, fears have been raised that the objections of residents will be ignored.   The proposals will initially apply to developments of more than 150 homes, commercial spaces of more than 15,000 square metres or any building 30 metres or taller – roughly 10 storeys. Ten of the 14 devolved mayors have backed the move. Mayors are to get powers to bulldoze through major housing developments under Andy Burnham's (pictured) devolution push London Mayor Lord Khan was already given the powers earlier this year in an 'emergency measure' aimed at unblocking dozens of stalled sites to get thousands more affordable homes built in the capital. Mr Burnham acknowledged in an interview with the Sunday Times that the change removed power from councillors, MPs and local people. He said: 'Sometimes… challenge does need to be made to local decision-making, and actually it cuts both ways. 'It's not all about Nimbyism. Sometimes it's the other way round. 'It's a local authority putting forward something that's unacceptable in terms of the impact on the community… so it's a two-way street.' The decisions must be in line with planning rules, local plans set out for areas and the national policy. Ministers will retain a backstop power to intervene. Mayors will also get more of a say on how national housing funding from Homes England will be spent in their areas. And they will be able to charge a levy on development to fund major infrastructure. A consultation on the proposals is due to be unveiled soon. The Lib Dems said the move was a 'direct attack' that would silence residents. Gideon Amos, the party's housing and planning spokesperson, said: 'Taking powers away from communities and local councillors is taking powers away from local people. This plan is a direct attack on communities across the country. 'Labour's chaotic patchwork approach to devolution will simply not work to solve the housing crisis. 'Instead of silencing residents and handing mayors a blank cheque, the Government should be empowering local councils with the resources to deliver genuinely affordable homes alongside the infrastructure to support them.'