What will devolution mean for planning in the South East of England?

South East Outlook

Whilst Sussex, Surrey, and Kent have all expressed an interest to participate in the government’s Devolution Priority Programme, which promises accelerated devolution implementation and associated financial support post-May 2026 mayoral elections, to date only Sussex has been selected to participate.

As a result, each region will follow a different path and timeline, with the current situation outlined below.

Sussex

East and West Sussex, including Brighton and Hove, have been selected by the government to progress on the priority programme and to create a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA). This means that a mayoral election will take place in May 2026 for the Sussex MSA, which will have strategic powers over housing, transport, economic growth, the environment and health and safety.

Alongside devolution, Sussex is transitioning to unitary authorities that will replace the current two-tier system. The local authorities under East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and West Sussex County Council (WSCC) are exploring their options. 

Ultimately, the government will decide which option will be pursued for each unitary authority in Sussex once the proposals have been submitted in September 2025. From there, the new unitary authorities will be expected to be in shadow format by 2027, coming into effect from 2028.  

Historically, local authorities in Sussex have struggled to meet their own housing needs, let alone the needs of neighbouring authorities. Local government reorganisation (LGR) could help improve this by streamlining housing targets and widening areas that are heavily constrained. For example, Brighton & Hove City Council’s proposals to expand its boundary further east could help support housing targets.
  

Surrey

Surrey was not selected for the priority programme, however they are working to an accelerated timeline for LGR. There is a difference in opinion between the various district and borough councils in Surrey as to the preferred approach for the new unitary authorities:  

Elmbridge Borough Council, Mole Valley District Council and Surrey County Council proposed two unitary councils:

• East Surrey (Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge)
• West Surrey (Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Woking)

The corough councils of Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking, and Tandridge District Council proposed three unitary councils:

• East Surrey (Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, and Tandridge)
• North Surrey (Elmbridge, Runnymede, and Spelthorne)
• West Surrey (Guildford, Surrey Heath, Waverley, and Woking)

Both proposals have their own challenges. For example, the three unitary model does not conform with the government’s requirement of a 500,000-population benchmark. Furthermore, the supporters of the two unitary model consider it would make significantly more savings.  

If Surrey’s proposals are approved by the government later this year, the new unitary council elections are forecast to take place in May 2026, followed by the mayoral elections in May 2027.

Surrey is a relatively small county, and could potentially lend itself to fewer unitary authorities. Furthermore, the local authorities have struggled to maintain up-to-date Local Plans, so fewer unitary authorities could make the plan-making process more effective. 

Kent

Kent’s current administration and governance is organised under a two-tiered system consisting of Kent County Council (KCC), and each corresponding district or borough council (with Medway acting as a sole unitary authority). 

While not selected for the priority programme, KCC has indicated that under devolution, the region would be split into three unitary authorities, each of which would serve a population of over 500,000: 

• North Kent: Dartford, Gravesham, Medway, Swale
• West Kent: Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling, Tunbridge Wells
• East Kent: Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe, Thanet.

Not being selected for the priority programme has meant that Kent has had to proceed with the normal elections in May 2025, thereby potentially delaying devolution until the next round of elections in 2028.

To prevent further delays, KCC and the districts/boroughs may continue to work on the region’s LGR proposals (estimated for completion in November 2025).  Any further proposals should reflect government feedback, including the need for a unified or combined authority model, clear governance supported by local consensus between KCC, Medway Council and district councils, and alignment with national housing and infrastructure priorities.

Concluding Remarks

The devolution and planning reforms mark a significant shift towards stronger mayoral leadership, streamlined governance and regionally driven planning strategies. It is hoped the current transformation in the South East will set the stage for long-term growth and collaboration across the region.

Further information

Contact Hannah Keyte and Poppy Heneghan-Pickard