The Strategic Planning Committee meeting scheduled for 23 February 2026 was set to review an update on the Planning and Building Control services for the period April to December 2025. The report pack also detailed national planning reforms and consultations that the council had responded to.

Planning and Building Control 2025/26 Q1-Q3 Update

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to focus on the work of the Planning and Building Control services between April and December 2025. This update included a review of performance metrics, such as the number of applications received, determined within statutory timeframes, and appeals decided. The report highlighted that performance for Majors applications was at 100%, exceeding the government threshold. For Minor and Other applications, performance was at 92%, also above the required 70%. The report also detailed the number of enforcement complaints received and the team's efforts to manage increased caseloads, particularly those related to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The update also covered national planning reforms and consultations. This included information on government proposals to revamp high streets, support housebuilding in London, and reforms to the statutory consultee system. The council's responses to these consultations were detailed, expressing support for housebuilding priorities but also raising concerns about the potential impact on affordable housing delivery and infrastructure funding. Specifically, the council objected to the proposal for emergency CIL relief in London, arguing it would have significant consequences for infrastructure funding. There was also concern that proposals could unintentionally lower the quality of new homes delivered and that increased call-in powers for the Mayor of London would reduce the power of local councils to make planning decisions.

The Building Control section of the report noted a decrease in applications due to reduced capacity and economic factors. It also highlighted challenges in recruitment and retention of qualified inspectors, as well as the impact of a major private Registered Building Control Approver going into liquidation. The report also touched upon the council's role in overseeing safety at large events at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and ongoing building control reforms at a national level.

Spatial Planning

The Spatial Planning update was scheduled to cover progress on the New Local Plan, including the public consultation that ran from October to December 2025, which received approximately 10,000 responses. The analysis of these comments was underway to inform the next iteration of the plan. Additionally, the report was to provide an update on the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Round 2 consultation, which aimed to identify spending priorities and project suggestions from residents. The Infrastructure Team was working to recommend projects for approval by Cabinet in March 2026, with £1.73m in NCIL funding available. The preparation of the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25 and the Authority Monitoring Report 2025 were also mentioned.

Previous Minutes

The committee was scheduled to confirm and sign the minutes of the Strategic Planning Committee meeting held on 10 September 2025. The minutes from that meeting indicated a discussion regarding the Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan, which was dedicated to the memory of Nicky Gavron¹. The discussion covered engagement with various community groups, the reasons for the plan being overdue, and responses to government changes in the planning system. Councillors had raised points about enhanced protection for trees, climate adaptation, net zero targets, and infrastructure delivery plans. There was also a discussion on heritage protection, affordable housing targets, and specific policies related to warehouse living and public toilets. The minutes showed that the committee recommended Cabinet approve the Draft Local Plan for public consultation.