Planning minister
There is no official title of ‘Planning Minister’ or ‘Minister for Planning’ in the UK.
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (sometimes referred to as the Levelling Up Secretary) has overall responsibility for planning. This position has previously been known as the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the Minister of State for Communities and Local Government.
The Secretary of State has the power to determine called in planning applications and recovered planning appeals.
The Minister of State for Housing (sometimes referred to as the Minister for Housing and Planning) has responsibilities that include planning. This position has previously been known as the Minister for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, the Minister of State for Housing and Local Government and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Communities and Local Government.
These ministers change very frequently, much to the annoyance of the construction industry.
To find out who holds these positions currently, see: Housing minister.
See also: Construction minister.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.