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Last edited 17 Feb 2026

Strategic planning boards

In its guidance document Factsheet: Strategic planning updated 19 September 2025 the government outlines the impacts of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the nature of Spatial Development Strategy's (SDSs) and the role of strategic planning boards.

"The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will enable the government to introduce a system of strategic planning across England. The strategic planning tool being introduced is the Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), and this is closely modelled on the system that has been in place in London for over 20 years.

"The Bill places a duty on combined authorities, combined county authorities, upper-tier county councils and unitary authorities to prepare an SDS for their area. The Bill also enables the government to establish “strategic planning boards” to prepare SDSs on behalf of specified groupings of these authorities.

"The Bill will also set out the core procedural and content requirements for SDSs – including that they must include policies on the use and development of land that are of strategic importance to the area and can include policies on housing and identify infrastructure requirements.

"Under an existing legal requirement, local plans must be in general conformity with SDSs that become operative under these arrangements. London will continue to produce its SDS under the provisions in the Greater London Authority Act 1999.

"The strategic planning system will encourage partnership working and provide opportunities to share research, evidence and expertise that can support the efficient production of SDSs. If plans are not forthcoming to the timeframe, the Bill will also include provision to intervene in the production of an SDS. The provisions will give the Secretary of State the ability to give direction on timetables or particular policy content – such as the distribution of housing need – through to taking over the preparation of an SDS and adopting it on behalf of strategic planning authorities.

"To further support a swift rollout of the new system, the government also intends to update the National Planning Policy Framework and supporting guidance to provide strategic planning authorities with a clear policy framework to work within.

"Additionally, through a forthcoming English Devolution Bill, the government intends to give strategic development management powers to strategic planning authorities that have elected mayors. These powers will enable them to guide planning applications of potential strategic importance, to ensure that the overall strategy and any policies within the SDS are being implemented. "