The new powers will apply to housing schemes of more than 150 homes, with mayors able to direct local authorities on whether an application should be approved or refused.
Mayors will also be able to grant development permission in advance, allowing construction to begin without developers having to submit individual planning applications.
The changes have been backed by 10 mayors from across the political spectrum and will bring mayoral powers in England more closely into line with those already held by the Mayor of London.
Greater control over housing investment
Alongside the planning reforms, mayors will be given a greater role in deciding how national housing funding is spent in their areas.
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While Homes England will continue to lead on the largest projects, its funding and expertise will be directed towards priorities agreed with local mayors.
A £1.3bn share of the national fund for land and infrastructure has already been allocated to the seven most established mayoral areas. This is in addition to £234m of brownfield funding for seven mayoral strategic authorities (MSAs) and £1.5bn committed to devolution through the Housing Accelerator Fund.
Housing delivery remains under scrutiny
The announcement comes as the government continues to face scrutiny over its ambition to deliver one-and-a-half million new homes.
Recent figures highlight the scale of the challenge. In the first quarter of 2026, 39,890 homes were completed across the UK, up 2.7% compared with the same period a year earlier. However, completions were down 19.1% on the previous quarter.
Jamie Williams, sales manager at brokerage Pure Property Finance, said ministers should revisit plans to build on publicly owned land as a way of addressing the housing supply crisis.
A consultation on the mayoral planning powers contained within the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 is scheduled to close on 5 October.
