Planning, devolution and the power to shape Sussex

Is planning broken, or just misunderstood? And should we expect a Sussex mayor be the one to fix it?

That was the provocation at the latest Brighton Chamber Construction Voice event, where three heavyweight planning experts debated whether the current system still does the job it was created for. The resulting blog, Has planning lost its purpose?, written by Flo Powell of Midnight Communications, is useful reading for anyone with a stake in Sussex’s future.

Held at PLATF9RM in Hove, the panel featured:

• Nicola Hurley, Head of Planning at Brighton & Hove City Council

• Liz Hobden, Principal Consultant at the Planning Advisory Service

• Professor Kelvin MacDonald, Chair of Brighton Housing Trust

Their verdictis that planning is under pressure, but its purpose is more relevant than ever.

🛠️ A system straining at the seams
The blog captures the mounting challenges facing planning authorities: budget cuts, complex applications, skills shortages, and fraying relationships with both communities and developers. Hurley reflects on Brighton’s journey since its 2016 Planning Peer Review; from 1,300 backlogged cases to an improving, if still fragile, system.

📈 Reform is coming – whether we’re ready or not

With major changes due in 2026, including new-style local plans, mayoral call-in powers, and mandatory training for planning committees, Hobden warns that councils will need more than good intentions. Investment, collaboration and a rethink of how we use data and expertise are essential.

🌍 Planning is political
Professor MacDonald challenged the room to look beyond housing numbers. “The government’s mantra is simply growth,” he argued. “But planning’s role is to mediate between competing priorities – social, environmental, and economic.”

He also called for a revival of good design advocacy, saying “we need bold planners who help people set a new bar.”

🧩 What does this have to do with devolution?
Everything.

The new Sussex Mayoral Combined Authority, set to be formally established in May 2026, will inherit one of the most complex local planning ecosystems in the country. With multiple unitary authority boundaries in flux and a planning system already creaking, the incoming mayor will need to act fast to ensure:

• A clear regional housing and infrastructure strategy

• Strategic planning powers used transparently and effectively

• Local voices, from developers to communities, feel heard

Planning doesn’t work without trust. And trust doesn’t come without leadership.

👉 Read the full blog here
Has Planning Lost Its Purpose? – Brighton Chamber Blog

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