Welsh Planning Bill voted through by the Senedd

The Bill ushering in major changes to the Welsh planning system including a new requirement to consider the implications for the Welsh language completed its passage through the Senedd this week.

Assembly Members voted 39 to 10 to approve the Planning (Wales) Bill on Tuesday evening (19 May).

The legislation will obtain Royal Assent later this summer after a four-week period during which the legality of the measures are double-checked.

Planning minister Carl Sargeant said the Bill would create a world-class planning system “delivering timely, fair and consistent decisions that will enhance the built, natural and historic environment in Wales”.

The Bill introduces a new legal framework for Welsh ministers to prepare a national land use plan, to be known as the National Development Framework for Wales. This framework will set out national land use priorities and infrastructure requirements.

The legislation also makes provision for the production of so-called Strategic Development Plans to tackle larger-than-local cross-boundary issues, such as housing supply and areas for economic growth and regeneration. These will focus on three areas: Cardiff, Swansea and the A55 corridor.

In addition, the Bill emphasises the need for pre-application consultation and requires local planning authorities to provide pre-application services.

The new measures also mean that planning applications for nationally-significant projects will be made to Welsh ministers. Applicants for planning permission will also be able to apply to the Welsh ministers for planning permission where a local planning authority is deemed to be poorly performing.

The legislation will also reform the development management system, improve enforcement and appeal procedures and make changes in relation to applications to register town and village greens in line with reforms introduced in England.

View more information on the Planning (Wales) Bill

Roger Milne