Metro mayors given power to override councils on big schemes

Mayors across England are set to be handed powers to seize control of major planning applications from councils in a fresh drive to speed up development.
The new call-in regime will cover schemes of more than 150 homes, commercial projects above 15,000 sq m and buildings taller than 30m, roughly equivalent to ten storeys.
Under proposals due to be published next week, regional mayors will be able to take over strategically important applications and decide whether they should go ahead or be refu