An independent report setting out how the planning system in Wales could be improved has been published by the Welsh Government.
Key recommendations include:
· the need for leadership and, where necessary, intervention by Government (this includes Welsh ministers taking decisions on nationally significant devolved infrastructure schemes
· preparation of a national framework within which local planning authorities deliver local development plans
· the introduction of a statutory framework for strategic planning at a level above individual local planning authority. This could accommodate a city region approach to spatial planning
· the establishment of a planning advisory and improvement body.
The report is the work of an independent advisory group set up at the request of Wales Environment Minister John Griffiths to look at how the planning system should be delivered in the future.
The group, which includes representation from a wide range of interests – from major house builders through to environmental bodies – compiled its 180 page report over a nine-month period.
The minister said: ‘The resulting report is a comprehensive look at planning in Wales. Whilst it finds that the system is conceptually sound and not in need of root and branch reform, it sets out 97 recommendations which comprise an ambitious but deliverable programme of change. This comprehensive report has been welcomed by Welsh Government ministers. I will provide more information on how we will be taking forward the planning reform agenda later this month.’
The report will be debated in a Welsh Assembly Plenary later this month.
The Welsh Government has also published two related reports:
· public attitudes towards the planning system in Wales; and
· a new approach to managing development in Wales.
See the report at: LINK
Search Planning Portal: LINK
