Local planning authority

This article is about planning authorities in the UK and India. For the government agency in Malta, see Planning Authority (Malta).

A local planning authority (LPA)^[1] is the local government body that is empowered by law to exercise urban planning functions for a particular area. They exist in the United Kingdom and India.^[2][3]

United Kingdom

Mineral planning authorities

The role of mineral planning authority is held by county councils, unitary authorities and national park authorities.

Waste planning authorities

Further information: Waste disposal authority and waste collection authority

The role of waste planning authority is held by county councils, unitary authorities and national park authorities.

England

For most matters, the planning authority is the borough, district or unitary council for the area. The non-metropolitan county councils (where they exist) are the planning authorities for minerals, waste and their own developments, such as most schools, care homes, fire stations and highways. The Mayor of London has the right to become the local planning authority for individual applications already submitted to a local planning authority.^[4]

As of August 2023^[update] the local planning authorities in England are:

• 226 district councils
• 62 unitary authority councils
• 36 metropolitan borough councils
• 32 London borough councils
• 21 county councils (for minerals, waste and county council development only)
• 10 national park authorities
• City of London Corporation
• Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation
• London Legacy Development Corporation
• Council of the Isles of Scilly

Wales

There are 25 local planning authorities in Wales. Of these, 22 are local authorities and 3 are national park authorities. ^[5]

Scotland

In Scotland, where all of the local authorities are unitary, the term 'planning authority' is used without the 'local' prefix.

Northern Ireland

India

See also

• Delegated powers (UK town planning)
• Planning permission

References

1. "Local planning authority (LPA)". Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
2. Local Planning Authorities in Ireland Archived March 13, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
3. "Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971". Bare Acts Live. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
4. "What powers does the Mayor have for planning applications?". Retrieved 14 August 2023.
5. "Find your local planning authority | GOV.WALES".