New legislation has today been passed in the Senedd that will
modernise and simplify the process behind developing significant
infrastructure projects in Wales.
The new Infrastructure (Wales) Bill, which was introduced to the
Senedd in June 2023, will bring forth major changes to the
legislative framework and will speed up the consenting process on
both land and in the territorial sea.
The new form of consent will be known as ‘Infrastructure Consent'
and will be issued in relation to Significant Infrastructure
Projects, including energy, transport, waste and water, among
other infrastructure types.
This unified consenting process will create more consistency and
certainty in Wales's ability to deliver, develop and attract
further infrastructure investment.
Addressing the Senedd, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local
Government and Planning, Julie James, said: “Having an effective
and efficient consenting process is vital to deliver significant
infrastructure projects in Wales which make a positive
contribution towards our social, economic and environmental
prosperity and net zero ambitions.
“Not only will it improve the competitiveness of Wales as an
attractive place for investment and jobs, it will also empower
local communities and other key stakeholders by providing robust
opportunities to engage in an open and transparent process to
help shape developments which affect them.”
The Bill will also play a key role in delivering the Welsh
Government's renewable energy targets as we move towards ‘net
zero' emissions by 2050, enabling the consenting of renewable
energy projects in a robust, but timely manner.
To ensure the smooth implementation of the new legislation, two
consultation papers will issue later in the spring.
The first consultation paper will focus on the pre-application
consultation procedure and will be a call for evidence to
stakeholders, local communities and other interested parties to
seek ideas and suggestions for how pre-application consultation
should be conducted.
The second consultation paper will focus on fees for the
consenting process.
Local communities and other key stakeholders are encouraged to
engage with the consultations to help shape developments which
affect them.
The Cabinet Secretary continued: “I am committed to working
closely with stakeholders during the development of the
subordinate legislation to help ensure the infrastructure
consenting process operates effectively, efficiently and with
maximum engagement.”
