A COUNCIL has issued an angry response to an “outrageous” planning sanction imposed by the national government.
Wychavon District Council has been placed under a Section 62A designation, meaning developers can submit certain major planning applications directly to the Planning Inspectorate, bypassing the council.
The move follows a two-year period in which 10.7 per cent of major planning applications refused by Wychavon were later approved on appeal—just above the government’s 10 per cent threshold.
The council indicated today that it is considering “all options” — including legal action.
Cllr Emma Kearsey, Wychavon’s executive board member for planning, infrastructure and urban design, said: “How dare they!
“This is an outrageous decision by a government that thinks it can simply dictate to local communities in complete defiance of the evidence and common sense.
“We have no problem with accountability.
“We do have an issue with a decision based on historic data that ignores the reality of the planning service we have today.”
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OPPOSITION: Cllr Emma Kearsey issued an angry response to the national planning decision (Image: Wychavon District Council)
Under the sanction, major applications already submitted will continue to be handled by the council, as will smaller and household applications.
The designation will remain until Wychavon can demonstrate improved performance to government officials.
The council said in a press release that it is considering “all options available” to challenge the sanction, including legal action.
Wychavon argues that the performance of its planning service has significantly improved since Ian MacLeod was appointed planning director in early 2024.
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A restructuring of the department, elimination of backlogs, and additional training for councillors have been credited with improving outcomes.
Cllr Kearsey said: “We will challenge this affront to local democracy and fight to return decisions on major planning applications to democratically elected councillors as soon as possible.”
Recent data from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026, shows that only 5.2 per cent of refused applications were allowed on appeal, well below the government’s 10 per cent threshold.
Cllr Kearsey said: “What’s even more appalling is they have decided to do this when we have just adopted the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review, releasing over 25,000 homes for development and bringing forward major projects such as Wychavon Town at pace.
“This designation undermines their own ambitions for growth and housing delivery.”
PLANNING: Wychavon District Council has been sanctioned by the national government (Image: Supplied)
The council’s planning service has been recognised nationally, winning the Royal Town Planning Institute’s West Midlands Team of the Year award and being shortlisted for a national award.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “A minority of councils have repeatedly failed to take the decisions needed to build the homes their communities are crying out for.
“Our message is clear: if you drag your feet to get on with the job, we will take away your right to make those decisions.
“Where councils aren’t delivering, ministers will – because getting Britain building faster is non-negotiable.”