Threads / Planning Committee Reform / Reforms to the statutory consultee system
Closed Consultation Published 18 Nov 2025 ↗ View on GOV.UK

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