Development Management produce a weekly list every Friday which contains details of all planning applications made valid that week.

New National Scheme of Delegation from 31 October 2026

From 31 October 2026, the Government's new National Scheme of Delegation for planning functions will apply.

The scheme sets national rules for which planning applications must be decided by planning officers and which applications may be considered by a Planning Committees.

The new scheme has been imposed by central government and Local Planning Authorities are required to apply the National Scheme of Delegation. There is no provision for any local variation or discretion.

Stafford Borough Council, along with other local planning authorities covered by the new regulations, is required to follow the new arrangements.

What's changing

Under the new national rules, some applications must be decided by planning officers by default. These include:

• householder applications
• minor commercial development
• minor residential developments of up to nine homes on sites smaller than 0.5 hectares
• applications relating to planning conditions
• some reserved matters applications

Other applications, including major developments, may still be referred to Planning Committee where they meet the criteria set by Government. This is known as the Gateway Test.

This means Planning Committee will continue to consider applications where the requirements for committee consideration are met.

When applications can go to Planning Committee after 31 October 2026

A planning application may be considered by Planning Committee only where the relevant national requirements are met.

Applications can only fall into one of the following categories:

Schedule 1 

These applications must be decided by officers. They do not go to Planning Committee, unless the own-interest provisions apply.

Schedule 2

These applications are normally delegated to officers but may be referred to Planning Committee if the gateway test is met and the nominated officer and nominated member agree.

Own-interest applications

Applications submitted by, or involving, the Council, a Councillor, an officer, or a Council-owned / controlled body or interest may be referred to Planning Committee where the nominated officer and nominated member agree that this is appropriate.

What the 500-home threshold means

The 500-home threshold relates specifically to reserved matters applications - the detailed proposals that can follow after outline planning permission has already been granted.

Reserved matters relating to outline permissions for fewer than 500 homes will be decided by planning officers as they fall under Schedule 1.

For outline permissions of 500 homes or more, reserved matters may be considered for referral to Planning Committee, subject to the requirements of the national scheme.

It does not mean that an outline planning application for fewer than 500 homes cannot be considered by Planning Committee.

Comments on planning applications

You can still comment on planning applications. These changes affect who makes the final decision on some planning applications, but they do not affect your right to comment.

We will continue to advertise planning applications and consult neighbours, statutory consultees and other interested parties where required. You can continue to submit comments during the consultation period.

All relevant material planning considerations raised through consultation will be taken into account when an application is assessed, whether the final decision is made by a planning officer or by Planning Committee.

Councillor "call-in" arrangements

Under the National Scheme of Delegation, local councillor call-in arrangements can no longer be used where they conflict with the national rules.

Whether an application can be referred to Planning Committee will be determined by the requirements of the national scheme and the Gateway Test set by Government.