Reforms to the statutory consultee system
We are seeking views on reforming the role of statutory consultees in the planning system in England.
Opened
18 Nov 2025
Closed
13 Jan 2026
▤ Verbatim text from source document
Statutory consultees play an important role in the planning application process by providing expert advice on significant environmental, transport, safety, and heritage issues.
However, local planning authorities and developers report that the statutory consultee system is not working effectively.
This consultation seeks views on reforming the role of statutory consultees in the planning system and covers the following proposals:
- removing statutory consultee status from certain bodies
- reviewing the scope of what statutory consultees advise on
- improving performance management across existing statutory consultee bodies in the planning system