The Coalition has confirmed moves to give the Welsh administration greater planning powers in line with the recommendations of the Silk Commission.
This ‘devolution package’, announced last Friday, means Wales should have additional powers over energy, transport, the environment and elections. The measures would mean that:
- Energy projects up to 350 megawatts should be decided by Welsh Ministers. This would include most onshore wind farms and renewable technologies to harness tidal power
- The National Assembly should have powers over the development of ports to improve Wales’s transport infrastructure
- The National Assembly should have the power to lower the voting age to 16 for Assembly elections
The package also says that Wales should move to a ‘reserved powers model’ – in line with the model in Scotland – with the law setting out which responsibilities remain at Westminster.
In the case of energy projects above the 350 megawatt threshold, which will remain the responsibility of the UK Government, there are plans for a statutory obligation to consult the Welsh Government and to take into account planning policies in Wales when consenting such projects.
The UK Government has also agreed that Welsh Ministers should be able to make building regulations in respect of all buildings in Wales.
As part of the proposed new arrangements Welsh ministers will take responsibility marine conservation and licensing and planning in offshore areas.
There will also be moves to align the administrative areas of water and sewerage undertakers to follow the Wales -England border. At present these reflect river catchments.
