Reforms aimed at making Wales the fastest country in the UK for
determining planning applications, creating new jobs and driving
economic growth have been unveiled.
Speaking at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Cymru
Conference in Cardiff today, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy,
Energy and Planning, , outlined how the Welsh
Government is taking decisive action to streamline the planning
process, address resource challenges, and build a modern,
efficient planning system fit for the future.
The Cabinet Secretary said:
“An efficient planning system is essential for creating the
homes, jobs and infrastructure Wales needs, while also enhancing
our environment and strengthening our communities.
“I am determined to make Wales the fastest country in the UK to
determine infrastructure applications. This ambition extends to
all planning applications, recognising that this will drive
economic growth across our nation.”
The announcement includes several key measures to accelerate
decision-making and boost the planning profession:
- Nearly £9m of direct investment into planning services
provided by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW),
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Welsh Government's Planning
Directorate, strengthening the capacity of these critical
services to deliver faster decisions.
- New fee regulations to be introduced by the end of this year,
representing the largest single investment in planning services
for many years. The increased revenue will be reinvested directly
back into planning services to improve performance and reduce
waiting times.
- Funding for two Senior Planner roles to work on
infrastructure applications across North Wales as part of an
expanded North Wales Shared Planning Service, demonstrating the
value of regional cooperation to address resourcing challenges.
- A new Town Planning Bursaries scheme via the Pathways to
Planning programme to increase the pipeline of qualified planners
across Wales, with the Welsh Government meeting the costs for
graduates to obtain a post-graduate planning qualification.
The Cabinet Secretary has also commissioned RTPI Cymru to
undertake comprehensive workforce planning research to develop a
clear picture of capacity, resource and skills needs across the
public planning sector.
This research will inform a long-term strategy to increase the
capacity and resilience of planning services throughout Wales.
Digital transformation forms another key part of the reforms,
with the Centre for Digital Public Services developing projects
to enhance communication between planning departments and the
public, improve user experiences, and establish digital standards
for sharing planning information.
The reforms build on recent successes, including:
- Delegation of Development of National Significance (DNS)
decisions to inspectors for projects up to 50MW, which has
already resulted in five decisions being issued between 9-14
weeks ahead of the 36-week statutory deadline.
- The recent Royal Assent of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act,
establishing a new streamlined consenting process for significant
infrastructure projects.
- Publication of the near-final text of the Planning (Wales)
Bill ahead of its formal introduction to the Senedd in September,
which will consolidate and modernise planning legislation.
The Cabinet Secretary added:
“These reforms represent a step change in how planning works in
Wales.
“By investing in our planning services, developing digital
solutions, and growing the planning profession, we are creating a
planning system that will drive sustainable economic growth,
deliver the infrastructure Wales needs, and create good jobs
across the country.”