Planning Committee and National Scheme of Delegation
- Why the changes have happened.
- What Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 applications are.
- How the Gateway Test works.
- Membership of the Planning Committee.
- Training requirements.
- Public speaking arrangements.
- Frequently asked questions.
Why have the planning arrangements changed?
The way planning applications are determined has changed as a result of new national legislation introduced by Government. From 31 October 2026, all local planning authorities must operate within a National Scheme of Delegation which sets out which planning applications can be determined by elected Members and which must be determined by officers.
Historically, planning applications on the Isles of Scilly were considered either by Full Council or under delegated powers. Under the new arrangements, Full Council can no longer undertake this role. To comply with the legislation, the Council has established a Planning Committee comprising 13 elected Members and adopted local Gateway Test arrangements for applications that may be considered by the Committee.
What are Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 applications?
Under the National Scheme of Delegation, planning applications are placed into different categories which determine how they are considered.
- Schedule 1 applications are applications that must normally be determined by planning officers under delegated powers. These applications cannot be referred to the Planning Committee for determination.
- Schedule 2 applications are applications that may be considered for determination by the Planning Committee if they meet the relevant Gateway Test. If the Gateway Test is not met, the application will be determined by planning officers under delegated powers.
The categorisation of applications is set by national legislation and not by the Council. The Council's role is to apply the National Scheme of Delegation and the approved Gateway Test arrangements when considering how an application should be determined.
Please note: Being a Schedule 2 application does not mean that it will automatically be considered by the Planning Committee. Applications must first satisfy the Gateway Test approved by the Council.
How does the Gateway Test work?
The Gateway Test is used to determine whether a Schedule 2 application should be considered by the Planning Committee or determined by planning officers under delegated powers.
Once a planning application has been validated and the consultation period has commenced, elected Members may request that a Schedule 2 application be assessed against the Gateway Test. The request must identify the planning reasons why Committee consideration may be justified.
The request is then reviewed against the Council's approved Gateway Test criteria. If the criteria are met, the application will be referred to the Planning Committee for determination. If the criteria are not met, the application will continue to be determined by planning officers under delegated powers.
The Gateway Test does not consider whether a proposal should be approved or refused. Its purpose is only to determine whether the application should be decided by the Planning Committee or by officers.
Application Validated
↓
Is it a Schedule 2 Application?
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Yes
↓
Gateway Test Request Submitted
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Assessed Against Gateway Test Criteria
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┌───────────────┴───────────────┐
↓ ↓
Criteria Met Criteria Not Met
↓ ↓
Planning Committee Officer Determination
Decision
Planning Committee Membership
The Planning Committee comprises 13 elected Members of the Council of the Isles of Scilly and is responsible for determining those planning applications that are capable of Member determination under the National Scheme of Delegation.
The current membership of the Planning Committee is:
- Cllr Lynn Blackwell
- Cllr Dan Marcus
- Cllr Joel Williams
- Cllr Frances Grottick
- Cllr Avril Mumford
- Cllr Euan Rogers
- Cllr Harry Legg
- Cllr Stuard Nixon
- Cllr Geoff White
- Cllr Robert Francis
- Cllr Tim Dean
- Cllr Alex Sandford
- Cllr John Peacock
Planning Committee Members are required to undertake planning training in accordance with the Council's adopted requirements before participating in planning decision-making.
Committee agendas, Terms of Reference, reports, minutes and decisions can be viewed through the Council's committee management system. Meetings are scheduled to align with and just before Full Council. A Planning Committee will not be convened if there are no planning items of business.
Planning Training
All Members of the Planning Committee are required to complete planning training covering topics including planning law, probity, ethics, decision-making and the National Scheme of Delegation. This helps ensure that planning applications are determined fairly, transparently and in accordance with the Development Plan and other material planning considerations.
Public Speaking at Planning Committee
The Council does not operate a public speaking scheme for Planning Committee meetings.
Applicants, consultees and members of the public are able to submit written representations on planning applications during the consultation period. These representations are reported to and considered by the relevant decision-maker before a decision is taken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Council changed how planning applications are determined?
The changes are required by new national planning legislation. From 31 October 2026, planning applications must be determined in accordance with the National Scheme of Delegation, which sets out which applications can be decided by officers and which may be considered by a Planning Committee.
Does Full Council still determine planning applications?
No. Full Council no longer acts as the planning decision-making body. Planning applications are now determined either by planning officers or by the Planning Committee, depending on the category of application and the outcome of the Gateway Test process.
What is the Planning Committee?
The Planning Committee is a committee of 13 elected Members established by the Council to determine those planning applications that are capable of Member determination under the National Scheme of Delegation.
What is a Schedule 1 application?
Schedule 1 applications must normally be determined by planning officers under delegated powers and cannot be referred to the Planning Committee.
What is a Schedule 2 application?
Schedule 2 applications may be considered for determination by the Planning Committee if they meet the relevant Gateway Test criteria. If the Gateway Test is not met, the application will be determined by planning officers.
Does every Schedule 2 application go to the Planning Committee?
No. Being a Schedule 2 application does not automatically result in Planning Committee consideration. An application must first satisfy the Council's approved Gateway Test arrangements.
Can a councillor still "call in" a planning application?
The previous Member referral ("call-in") process no longer applies. Schedule 2 applications may be considered under the Gateway Test arrangements approved by the Council.
Can members of the public speak at Planning Committee meetings?
No. The Council does not operate a public speaking scheme for Planning Committee meetings.
How can I make my views known on a planning application?
Members of the public, applicants and consultees can submit written comments during the consultation period. All comments received before a decision is made will be taken into account when the application is determined.
Are comments published?
Yes. Planning application comments are normally published on the Council's planning register, subject to legal and confidentiality requirements.
How do I find out who is deciding an application?
Information on the progress of planning applications is available through the planning register. Where applicable, planning reports will identify whether an application is to be determined by officers or considered by the Planning Committee.
Where can I find Planning Committee agendas, reports and decisions?
Planning Committee agendas, reports, minutes and decisions are published through the Council's committee management system and are available on the Council's website.
Page Created: 15/10/2026
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