Lucy Turnbull to head Sydney planning body

Lucy Turnbull has been named chief commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission which will oversee development and planning throughout the city.

Lucy Turnbull will head a new body to oversee planning and development across Sydney. (AAP)

Lucy Turnbull will head a new body to oversee planning and development across Sydney.

The prime minister's wife, a former lord mayor of Sydney, will become chief commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission, with the power to overrule council zoning decisions.

The commission has the support of NSW Labor but the Greens say it removes democratic process from the local government level.