Amend the Planning Act 2008 to require 'minded to' letters
Require 'minded to' letters
MHCLG should legislate, in the event of a delay, a requirement for the Secretary of State to issue a "minded to" letter which sets out the statement of reasons, outlining matters which have been determined, and those areas where the Secretary of State requires further information.
Delays should be exceptional, and where a delay is sought, the relevant Secretary of State should seek the Prime Minister's approval to any such delay.
Government Response: Guidance on 'minded to' letters by Summer 2026
The Government will issue new guidance by Summer 2026 encouraging the use of "minded to" letters during post-examination decision-making delays. It will not legislate a statutory requirement, taking the view that a statutory obligation would be an additional bureaucratic hurdle. While the Taskforce recommended legislation, the Government's approach via guidance still advances the core objective of improving transparency during decision-making delays. The effectiveness will depend on the strength of the guidance language and ministerial willingness to follow it.
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Key Regulators
Taskforce target: December 2027
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