Part 6: Planning in England Planning permission etc Section 154: Planning freedoms: right for local areas to request alterations to planning system
This section enables the Secretary of State, by regulations, to make planning freedom schemes in England. Planning freedom schemes may only be made following a request from the local planning authority for the relevant area and only if the Secretary of State considers the scheme will lead to additional homes being built.
	Before bringing forward proposals for a scheme the local planning authority must consult in their local area.
	Such schemes will operate for a specified period (although subsection (7) includes the power to bring schemes to an end early, for example, where the local planning authority asks the Secretary of State to do so).
	Planning freedom schemes will apply in relation to a specified planning area which will be the area of a local planning authority or an area comprising two or more adjoining areas of local planning authorities.  The Secretary of State may restrict the number of planning freedom schemes in force at any one time.