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England

Spatial Planning

For practitioners · Updated 20 September 2026 · As at 20 September 2026

What is a strategic planning authority?

A strategic planning authority is the body that must prepare a Spatial Development Strategy. Section 12A of the inserted 2004 Act provisions names strategic planning boards, combined authorities, combined county authorities, and then upper-tier county councils and unitary authorities where no combined authority covers the area. London's Mayor continues under the Greater London Authority Act 1999.

The statutory list

Inserted section 12A(2) defines "strategic planning authority" as:

  1. a strategic planning board (see section 12B)
  2. a combined authority
  3. a combined county authority
  4. an upper-tier county council for an area no part of which is in a combined authority or combined county authority
  5. a unitary authority in England, likewise not inside a combined authority or combined county authority

A principal authority that is a constituent of a strategic planning board is not itself the strategic planning authority. The board is.

"Strategy area" follows the body: the combined area of the board's constituents, or the area of the combined authority, combined county authority, county or unitary.

SDS functions of a principal authority are not functions that can be delegated under section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 in the usual way.

How MHCLG has described it in practice

The February 2026 consultation paper and the 12 February written statement say:

  • where they exist, mayoral combined authorities, combined authorities, mayoral combined county authorities and combined county authorities are the strategic planning authorities
  • Foundation Strategic Authorities will also be strategic planning authorities, but may need to be grouped
  • otherwise the duty sits with upper-tier counties and unitaries, generally working together through a strategic planning board
  • mayoral strategic authorities prepare the SDS for their area, with a stated exception that West of England Combined Authority will produce jointly with North Somerset

London

Section 12A(6) points to sections 334 to 343 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. London is not brought under the 2025 Act machinery.

What a principal authority can do before commencement

Formal SDS work cannot start until the relevant provisions are commenced. MHCLG listed preparatory work that is allowed: building a team, engaging neighbouring areas and infrastructure providers, collating evidence, commissioning gap-filling studies, and drafting a project plan and timetable.

Questions

Is my district council a strategic planning authority?
Not by itself, unless it is a unitary authority whose area is not inside a combined authority or combined county authority, and it has not been made a constituent of a strategic planning board.
What if we are being reorganised?
MHCLG says the duty will shift to the new unitary authorities. Boards formed in 2026 may need to be reconstituted. Where a strategic authority already exists, the SDS duty stays with that authority.

Sources

  1. Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, inserted PCPA 2004 s.12A (strategic planning authorities) — legislation.gov.uk, 18 December 2025
  2. Areas for producing spatial development strategies (consultation paper) — MHCLG, 12 February 2026
  3. Sub-regional Strategic Planning (written ministerial statement) — House of Commons Hansard, 12 February 2026
  4. Greater London Authority Act 1999, sections 334 to 343 — legislation.gov.uk, 11 November 1999. London continues to prepare its SDS under the GLA Act, not the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.

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