The new call-in regime will cover schemes of more than 150 homes, commercial projects above 15,000 sq m and buildings taller than 30m, roughly equivalent to ten storeys.

Under proposals due to be published next week, regional mayors will be able to take over strategically important applications and decide whether they should go ahead or be refused.

The move will bring metro mayors broadly into line with powers already held by the Mayor of London.

Mayors will also be able to grant upfront permission for development, potentially allowing work to start without developers having to submit separate applications.

Councils will continue to decide most planning applications, while all mayoral decisions will still have to comply with local plans, national policy and planning rules.

Developers will retain appeal rights and ministers will keep powers to step in where necessary.

Ten mayors from different political parties have backed the shake-up.

The Government is also giving regional leaders a bigger say over housing and infrastructure spending.

Homes England will continue to lead major schemes, but its funding and expertise will increasingly be directed towards priorities agreed with mayors.

Around £1.3bn from the national land and infrastructure fund has already been allocated to seven established mayoral areas, alongside £234m of brownfield funding and £1.5bn through the Housing Accelerator Fund.

Mayors outside London will also gain powers to levy developers to help pay for major infrastructure.

The model mirrors the levy used in London to help fund the Elizabeth line and could give combined authorities a new route to unlock large housing and regeneration schemes.