UK mayors set for planning power boost as Burnham reshapes local governance

The UK’s political landscape is shifting beneath its feet. As Westminster grapples with economic headwinds and geopolitical tensions, a quieter revolution is taking shape in the regions—one that could redefine how Britain builds its future. At the heart of this change stands Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor whose latest proposals promise to hand city leaders unprecedented control over local planning decisions. The move, expected to be unveiled next week, would allow mayors to "call in" major developments, overriding council objections or accelerating stalled projects. It’s a bold gambit, one that pits local ambition against national oversight, and could either unlock a wave of housing and infrastructure—or deepen the divides between urban powerhouses and rural communities.

The planning power shift: what Burnham’s move means

For years, England’s planning system has been a battleground of competing priorities: housing targets set in Whitehall, local opposition to development, and a labyrinth of regulations that often leave projects mired in delays. Burnham’s plan seeks to cut through this gridlock by giving mayors the authority to fast-track large-scale schemes, from affordable housing to renewable energy projects. The proposal would also grant them greater influence over how national housing funds are allocated—a direct challenge to the Treasury’s traditional grip on spending.

The timing is no coincidence. Labour’s landslide victory in July has emboldened regional leaders, many of whom campaigned on promises of greater devolution. Burnham, a vocal advocate for metro mayors, has framed the reforms as a way to "put power where it belongs: in the hands of those who know their communities best." But critics warn the move could sideline local councils, particularly in Conservative-leaning areas where resistance to development is strongest. The tension is already playing out in counties like Surrey and Kent, where Tory councillors have accused Burnham of overreach.

What makes this shift particularly striking is its potential to reshape England’s economic geography. If mayors gain the power to greenlight projects, cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool could see a surge in investment—while rural areas, lacking the same political clout, risk being left behind. The question is whether this will narrow the UK’s yawning regional inequalities or widen them.

North Sea oil: a political lightning rod

As Burnham pushes for devolution, another battle is brewing—this time over the North Sea. The oil basin, once a symbol of British industrial might, has become a political football, with Labour’s new government caught between its climate commitments and the economic reality of dwindling reserves.

The issue flared up this week when reports emerged of behind-the-scenes lobbying by industry groups to extend drilling licenses. The sector, which supports around 200,000 jobs, argues that continued extraction is vital for energy security and tax revenues. But Labour’s manifesto pledged to halt new oil and gas licenses, a promise that has put the government in a bind. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly weighing a compromise: allowing existing fields to be depleted while blocking new exploration.

The debate has taken on an international dimension, with former US President Donald Trump wading in during a recent speech. "The North Sea is a goldmine," he declared, urging the UK to "drill, baby, drill." His intervention has only intensified the scrutiny on Labour, which must now navigate a path between its green ambitions and the economic pressures of a cost-of-living crisis. For a government already facing backlash over its electric vehicle U-turn, the North Sea could prove a defining test of its ability to balance climate action with economic pragmatism.

Wind power surges as planning barriers fall

While oil dominates the headlines, a quieter energy revolution is underway. Onshore windfarms, long stymied by planning restrictions, are making a comeback. New data reveals that applications for wind projects in England have hit a 10-year high, with around 45 proposals submitted in the year to March. The surge follows Labour’s decision to overturn the Conservatives’ de facto ban on onshore wind, a move that has been hailed by environmental groups but met with resistance in rural communities.

The shift is more than symbolic. Onshore wind is one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy, and analysts say the new projects could help the UK meet its target of decarbonising the electricity grid by 2030. But the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Many of the proposed sites are in areas with strong local opposition, and developers will need to navigate a planning system that remains wary of large-scale infrastructure. The success of these projects could hinge on Burnham’s devolution plans—if mayors are given the final say, windfarms may find smoother sailing in Labour-leaning cities than in Conservative heartlands.

Corporate archives expose slavery’s lingering shadow

Amid the political manoeuvring, a darker chapter of Britain’s past has resurfaced. New research has revealed that Sandbach, Tinne and Company—a corporation linked to some of the largest slavery compensation payouts after abolition—continued to traffic enslaved Africans to Guyana decades after the practice was outlawed. A letter from 1847, uncovered in the company’s Liverpool archives, shows that the firm was still engaged in the trade, despite having received taxpayer-funded compensation for the loss of its "assets."

The findings have reignited debates about corporate reparations and the legacy of slavery in modern Britain. Sandbach, Tinne and Company, which later became part of the global trading giant Unilever, was one of many firms that profited from slavery before and after abolition. The revelation comes as Labour’s new mayors prepare to take on greater powers over local planning—and with it, the ability to shape how cities confront their historical legacies. In Liverpool, where the company was based, Mayor Steve Rotheram has already pledged to use his office to "shine a light on the city’s past." The question now is whether Burnham’s reforms will give other mayors the tools to do the same.

What comes next

The next fortnight will be critical for Burnham’s devolution agenda. If his proposals are approved, they could mark the most significant transfer of power from Westminster to the regions in a generation. But the road ahead is littered with obstacles: legal challenges from councils, resistance from Whitehall departments, and the ever-present risk of political backlash.

For Labour, the stakes could not be higher. The party’s landslide victory was built on promises of change, but delivering on those pledges will require more than just good intentions. It will demand a willingness to cede control—and a recognition that the UK’s future may no longer be decided in Westminster alone. As the North Sea debate and windfarm surge show, the country is at a crossroads. The question is whether Burnham’s reforms will help it find a new path—or leave it more divided than ever.