RPC Gives Green Rating to Planning Committee Modernisation Impact Assessment

• The Regulatory Policy Committee gave a 'green' rating to the impact assessment on planning committee modernisation.
• The proposal involves introducing secondary legislation for a National Scheme of Delegation in England.
• The RPC's opinion was based solely on its review of the supporting evidence and analysis, not the policy itself.
• A 'green' rating indicates that the impact assessment is considered fit for purpose.

This means that we considered it to be ‘fit for purpose’ based on our scrutiny of the evidence and analysis supporting the case for why regulation is necessary.

The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) has given its opinion on the impact assessment of planning committee modernisation. The proposal at hand involves introducing secondary legislation to establish a National Scheme of Delegation for planning decisions in England. This scheme would require specific categories of planning applications to be determined by planning officers, while allowing other categories to be referred to planning committee only if certain gateway criteria are met and both a nominated planning officer and a nominated committee member agree on referral. The RPC's opinion was rendered on 16 July 2026, with the impact assessment receiving a 'green' rating.

The Regulatory Policy Committee is responsible for scrutinizing the quality of evidence and analysis in impact assessments related to regulatory proposals. The RPC's opinion on the planning committee modernisation impact assessment was based solely on its review of the supporting evidence and analysis, not the policy itself. A 'green' rating from the RPC indicates that the impact assessment is considered fit for purpose. This rating may have implications for lawyers reviewing similar regulatory proposals in the future.

The RPC's opinion on the planning committee modernisation impact assessment has significant implications for regulatory policy and practice. The 'green' rating received by the impact assessment suggests that it is robust and comprehensive, providing a solid foundation for informed decision-making. Lawyers should take note of this development, as it may inform their review of similar regulatory proposals in the future. Furthermore, the RPC's scrutiny process highlights the importance of thorough evidence-based analysis in regulatory policy-making.

Lawyers should note the RPC's 'green' rating, indicating a fit-for-purpose impact assessment, which may inform their review of similar regulatory proposals in future.

Source: Original reporting via GOV.UK