Andy Burnham is set to hand mayors new powers to take control of local planning decisions to build large-scale developments such as houses, tower blocks and skyscrapers.
In proposals to be unveiled next week, the prime minister will allow mayors to overrule councils in order to “call in” the decisions and direct councils to take them forward or refuse them.
The move means mayors will also be able to grant upfront permission so developers can start building without having to apply, and will apply to developments of more than 150 homes, commercial spaces of more than 15,000 square metres or any building 30 metres or taller – which is roughly 10 storeys.
But the Liberal Democrats said the move was a “direct attack” that would silence residents.
Gideon Amos, the party’s housing and planning spokesperson, said:”Taking powers away from communities and local councillors is taking powers away from local people. This plan is a direct attack on communities across the country.
“Labour’s chaotic patchwork approach to devolution will simply not work to solve the housing crisis.
“Instead of silencing residents and handing mayors a blank cheque, the government should be empowering local councils with the resources to deliver genuinely affordable homes alongside the infrastructure to support them.”
Mr Burnham told The Sunday Times that he understood the argument that devolving powers to mayors to push through such projects could disempower councillors, MPs and constituents.
He said: “Sometimes… challenge does need to be made to local decision-making, and actually it cuts both ways.
“It’s not all about Nimbyism. Sometimes it’s the other way round.
“It’s a local authority putting forward something that’s unacceptable in terms of the impact on the community… so it’s a two-way street.”
Ten of the 14 devolved mayors have backed the move, which will bring them into line with Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, who was already given the powers earlier this year in what was billed as an emergency measure aimed at unblocking dozens of stalled sites to get thousands more affordable homes built in the capital.
A consultation to be published next week comes as government is just over a quarter of the way to its target to build 1.5 million homes in England in five years, which it insists it is still aiming to meet.
The decisions must be in line with planning rules, local plans set out for areas and the national policy, and ministers will retain a backstop power to intervene.
Mayors will also get more of a say on how national housing funding from Homes England will be spent in their areas, and they will be able to charge a levy on development to fund major infrastructure.
Mayors outside London will also be able to charge a levy on development to fund major infrastructure, using the same tool that helped deliver the Elizabeth line, which has boosted rail capacity, supported housing growth and regeneration, and become the UK's busiest railway service.