Burnham to give mayors powers to force through building plans

Mayors will also be able to grant upfront permission so developers can start building without having to apply.

The local leaders will be able to overrule councils to green light significant building projects - or block them.

Sinn Féin fails to push through social housing on enviromentally protected land in West Belfast v.1

Andy Burnham is to give mayors across the country new responsibilities for cracking down on illegal toxic waste dumps which are currently costing the taxpayer an estimated £1bn a year.