Public Hearings and Mayoral call-ins
In their role of making strategic planning decisions for London, the Mayor may occasionally take over an application, therefore becoming the local planning authority. The Mayor must then hold a public hearing before deciding whether or not to grant planning permission.
Public hearings are normally announced 21 days prior to the hearing in line with the Mayor's amended Representation Hearings Procedure. They are held in the Chamber at City Hall, unless otherwise advertised. Under article 7 of the Mayor of London Order (2008), the Mayor has the power to direct that he will become the local planning authority for an application. These are commonly referred to as ‘call-ins’, ‘public hearings’, 'representation hearings' and ‘Stage 3s’.
To be able to take over an application it would have to meet the following three policy tests; as set out in the order:
- the development would have a significant impact on the implementation of the London Plan
- the development would have significant effects that are likely to affect more than one London borough
- there are sound planning reasons for intervention.
Please refer to the order for a further explanation of the tests. The procedure for Representation Hearings can be found in the representation hearings procedure.
For further information on forthcoming and past public hearings please scroll down this page.
Directions to Refuse planning permission and Appeals
Under article 6 of the Mayor of London Order (2008) the Mayor has the power to direct that a borough refuse planning permission for a referable planning application. The Mayor can use this power if he considers that to grant permission would be contrary to the spatial development strategy or prejudicial to its implementation or contrary to good strategic planning in Greater London. The order provides further explanation.
Where necessary the Mayor will defend his decision to refuse permission at appeal and, on occasion, be involved in other appeals as an interested party (Rule 6).
For further information on cases where the Mayor has directed refusal and/or been involved in an appeal please scroll down this page.
Future public hearings
Hearing dates will be confirmed 21 days prior to the hearings in line with the Mayor's amended Representation Hearings Procedure. Instructions for how to watch the hearings will be published for each hearing under the relevant link below.
Springfield Hospital - date tbc
Wimbledon Park Golf Club - date tbc
Past public hearings
Past public hearings are available to view on the below links.
Pope's Road - withdrawn by applicant
Paddington Green Police Station
Stanmore Station Car Park - withdrawn by applicant
Former Biscuit Factory and LeSoCo campus
National Institute for Medical Research
Details on public hearings decided by the former Mayor, Boris Johnson, can be found on the past public hearings page.
Directions to Refuse planning permission and appeal work
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