MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Economy, Energy and Planning: The Welsh Government is
committed to accelerating decision making for large scale
infrastructure projects, whilst also ensuring that our
communities have appropriate opportunities to fully engage in the
process and our environment is protected.
To help deliver this ambition, yesterday, I laid five pieces of
legislation for the implementation of the consenting process set
out by the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024. The Act establishes a
new process for consenting of significant infrastructure projects
in Wales, including energy, waste, water and transport projects.
The regulations set out the detail underpinning the provisions
provided in the Act and have been informed by our consultation
and engagement with stakeholders. They are designed to work
together to ensure the new infrastructure consenting process
meets the needs of all stakeholders in Wales.
The Infrastructure (Wales)
Act 2024 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2025commences provisions
within the Act.
The Infrastructure Consent
(Pre-Application and Application Procedure and Transitional
Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025 make provision for
pre-application procedures to be undertaken on a proposed
significant infrastructure project and set out how the Welsh
Ministers will process an application submitted to them.
The Infrastructure Consent
(Examination and Decision) (Procedure) (Wales) Regulations
2025 make provision for the procedure for examination of
infrastructure applications by the examining authority and
decision-making processes to be undertaken on those applications.
The Infrastructure Consent
(Fees) (Wales) Regulations 2025 allow for public authorities
to charge fees to applicants for their functions in determining
applications for infrastructure consent.
The Infrastructure Consent
(Compulsory Acquisition) (Wales) Regulations 2025 make
provision for additional procedures for allowing the compulsory
acquisition of land or rights over land as part of an
infrastructure consent order.
The Infrastructure Consent
(Miscellaneous Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025 make
provision for matters outside of the main process but are
essential to ensure the Infrastructure Act and new consenting
process are appropriately implemented.
