OpenConsultation consultationoutcome

Reforms to the statutory consultee system

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Detail of outcome

The government response provides a summary of the responses received to the consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system, which closed on 13 January 2026. It also sets out the government’s response on each of the consultation questions and proposals.

To support implementation of this policy, we will lay draft regulations for Parliamentary scrutiny in due course.


Original consultation

Summary

We are seeking views on reforming the role of statutory consultees in the planning system in England.

This consultation closesran atfrom
to

Consultation description

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

Documents

Ways to respond

or

Email to:

StatutoryConsulteeReforms@communities.gov.uk

Write to:

Sean O'Byrne,
Planning Development Management Team,
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government,
Third Floor,
Fry Building,
2 Marsham Street,
London,
SW1P 4DF

Updates to this page

Published 18 November 2025
Last updated 17 August 2026 Show all updates
  1. Government response to the consultation added.

  2. First published.

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