The Planning Committee of Cardiff Council met on Tuesday 16 June 2026 to discuss significant changes to its constitutional arrangements, including its scheme of delegation and committee procedure rules. Key decisions included refining the criteria for applications that must be brought before the committee, introducing new public speaking rights, and amending rules around petitions and late representations.

Constitutional Changes to Planning Procedures

The committee undertook a comprehensive review of its constitutional arrangements, prompted by recommendations from Audit Wales¹ and an internal review of planning governance. The aim was to improve efficiency, strengthen governance, and ensure democratic accountability while focusing committee time on strategically important applications.

Subsequent/Technical Applications

The committee agreed that applications for subsequent or technical matters, such as variations of conditions on existing planning permissions (s73), non-material amendments (NMA), discharge of conditions (DoC), and reserved matters (RM), would generally be delegated to officers. These would only be brought before the Planning Committee in exceptional circumstances, with the agreement of the Chair of Planning. An amendment was made to ensure that if changes were made to specific conditions previously set by the committee, the application would be returned for committee consideration. This decision was made to allow the committee to focus on more strategically important applications.

Significant Applications

New thresholds were agreed to define strategically important applications that must be brought before the committee. These include:

• Applications for 250 or more new residential units, or on sites over 10 hectares.
• Applications proposing over 2,500 square metres of new commercial or non-residential floorspace, or on sites over 10 hectares.
• Applications for 'major development' accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement.

The discretion of the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Chair of Planning, to refer applications to the committee based on significant policy, material considerations, or widespread local concerns was retained.

Member Requests to Refer to Planning Committee

A new procedure was agreed whereby elected members can request that an application be referred to the Planning Committee. These requests will be considered by the Head of Planning in consultation with the Chair of Planning, who will have the discretion to decide whether the application should be heard by the committee. A formal record of the Chair's decisions, including the rationale for rejecting any requests, will be kept and reported to the committee to ensure transparency.

Objections from Statutory Consultees

The requirement for applications to be brought before the committee if they conflicted with an unresolved objection from a statutory consultee was removed. Instead, these matters will be delegated to the Head of Planning, subject to consultation with the Chair of Planning, who retains discretion to refer them to the committee if they are considered of strategic importance or raise pertinent matters of public interest.

Petitions

The automatic requirement for applications with a valid petition of 50 or more signatures to be automatically referred to the Planning Committee was removed. Instead, such petitions will be delegated to the Head of Planning, subject to consultation with the Chair of Planning. The Chair will retain discretion to refer the matter to the committee if it is deemed to be of strategic importance or raises pertinent matters of public interest. This change was made to streamline the process and ensure committee time is focused on strategically important applications. The committee voted against retaining the existing provisions, meaning the proposal to remove the automatic referral was carried.

Number of Objections

The threshold for applications requiring consultation with the Chair of Planning was raised from any written objection on valid planning grounds to applications where five or more objections are received from five or more households. This aims to better target the Chair's oversight to cases of most public interest and improve efficiency.

Chair of Planning Request for Committee Determination

An explicit provision was added allowing the Chair of Planning to request that an application be determined by the Planning Committee for valid planning reasons. This formalises existing practice and aligns with changes to petition and member referral procedures.

Council Applications, Applications from Elected Members, and Applications from Officers

The existing procedures for applications made by Cardiff Council, elected members, and officers were reviewed. For applications from officers, a proposal was carried that all applications from officers within the Planning Service who have responsibility for making planning decisions under planning delegations, excluding subsequent/technical applications, will be determined by the Planning Committee. This aims to enhance transparency and safeguard against perceived conflicts of interest. Applications from senior officers outside the planning department will be delegated to the Head of Planning, subject to consultation with the Chair.

Delegated Matters Requiring Consultation with the Chair

Several matters were explicitly identified as requiring consultation with the Chair of Planning before a decision is made. These include:

• Where the Chair specifically requests consultation.
• Where the Head of Planning or an Operational Manager determines consultation is needed.
• Where a valid petition has been submitted.
• Where five or more written objections have been received.
• Applications from senior officers in the Planning Service, or from Chief Officers involved in planning decisions or the Planning Department.
• Applications where Cardiff Council is the applicant and not already required to go to committee.
• Reports or Local Planning Authority submissions for Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) or Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).
• Matters relating to Public Rights of Way or highways where objections are received, refusal is recommended, or the Head of Highways, Infrastructure & Operations determines consultation is needed.
• Confirmation of a Tree Preservation Order where objections have been received.

Subsequent/Technical applications were explicitly excluded from these requirements.

Speaking at Committee: Public Speaking and Time Limits

The committee introduced a right for public speaking at Planning Committee for all applications determined by the committee. Objectors, supporters, and applicants/agents will each be able to address the committee. A significant change was made to the speaking times: all speakers, including Ward Members, will now be limited to a maximum of four minutes. Previously, Ward Members had up to five minutes, while public speakers had three minutes. The committee voted to amend the proposal to ensure a four-minute limit for all speakers, including Ward Members, objectors, supporters, and applicants/agents. The Chair will retain discretion over multiple Ward Members speaking on the same application.

Late Representations

The deadline for submitting late representations was extended from 24 hours to 48 hours prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. This change aims to provide officers with sufficient time to review and summarise late representations, ensuring a fairer and more transparent decision-making process.

Committee Site Visits

A clear process was formalised to allow Members to request a Planning Committee site visit in advance of a meeting. The Chair of Planning, in consultation with the Head of Planning/Operational Manager, will make the decision on these requests. The updated Site Visit Protocol also clarifies that site visits are for establishing facts on site and not for discussing the merits of an application, reinforcing that all such discussions should take place at the committee meeting.

Members' Planning Code of Good Practice and Planning Guide

The Members' Planning Code of Good Practice has been updated to align with current governance standards and reduce legal risk. A new Planning Guide will be prepared to consolidate all relevant constitutional and procedural elements into an easily accessible format for members and the public.

Final Resolutions

The committee agreed to delegate authority to officers to finalise draft amendments to the Constitution, the Petition Scheme, and other procedural notes and guidance, reflecting the committee's decisions.

The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 2nd July 2026.