£9m and reform for better planning systems in Wales

The Welsh cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, Rebecca Evans, announced several key decisions to speed up infrastructure decisions in Wales.

Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and the Welsh’s government’s Planning Directorate have injected almost £9 million of direct investment into planning services.

By the end of the year, new fee regulations will be introduced, with the increased revenue to be reinvested directly back into planning services to improve performance and reduce waiting times.

Ms Evans also announced funding for two senior planner roles to work across North Wales on infrastructure applications, as part of an expanded North Wales Shared Planning Service, as well as a new Town Planning Bursaries scheme via the Pathways to Planning programme. This will increase the number of qualified planners across Wales, with the Welsh government meeting the costs for graduates to obtain a post-graduate planning qualification.

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.”

RTPI Cymru have also been commissioned by the cabinet secretary to develop a clear picture of capacity, resource and skills needed across the planning sector, which will inform a long-term strategy to increase the capacity and resilience of planning services throughout Wales.

These reforms follow recent legislation in Wales, such as the Royal Assent of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act to streamline planning consent for infrastructure, and the publication of the near-final text of the Planning (Wales) Bill, to be introduced to the Senedd in September. 

Ms Evans added: “These reforms represents 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 job across the country.”