Planning Wales

In the short time that I have been Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, I have come to appreciate the critical role that planning has in delivering the Assembly Government’s agenda for Wales.

Last summer, the Welsh Assembly Government published an agreed programme for the government of Wales called ‘One Wales’ which we are committed to delivering over the next four years. The One Wales agreement sets out a programme, which aims to “deliver the sort of fair, prosperous, confident and outgoing Wales, which its citizens deserve and demand”. It contains a number of overarching themes which run throughout the document and which I’m determined to deliver, most particularly tackling climate change and increasing the supply of affordable housing.

My portfolio has been established to bring together climate change, energy, environment, waste, water, housing and planning functions, to ensure that all the levers available to the Assembly Government and others, including local authorities, are fully utilised and co-ordinated to tackle these challenges.

Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing humanity and tackling it is a key priority for this Government.

We must act now to reduce the emissions of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change and respond to the impacts of the changes already under way, and seek to reduce future impacts.

One Wales illustrates the Assembly Government’s commitment to tackling this issue, with proposals to establish a Climate Change Commission for Wales; an aim to achieve annual carbon reduction-equivalent emission reductions of three percent per annum by 2011 in areas of devolved competence; and a commitment to meeting targets on the carbon neutrality of public buildings.

The Assembly Government cannot tackle climate change alone and many important levers for action lie outside its control. One of the key levers which we have is the planning system and I am keen to utilise it to the full. The engagement and active participation of the rest of the public sector, business, the voluntary sector, NGO’s communities and individuals will be vital if we want to achieve a real impact.

I want Wales to become a global showcase for energy efficient buildings and small scale renewable energy. The Assembly Government is leading the way by ensuring that the buildings and programmes which it funds meet our sustainable construction requirements and our aspiration for new buildings from 2011 to be zero carbon or equivalent standard.

I also intend to consult shortly on draft guidance relating to a new requirement which I am keen to introduce on Design Statements. These would accompany planning applications and should outline how sustainability considerations have been reflected in the submitted proposals.

This links into another ‘One Wales’ key commitment; to secure the devolution of Building Regulations to Wales, which I am actively pursuing with the UK Government with regard to the existing building stock.

Alongside climate change, I see affordable housing as a top priority. Having planning and housing responsibilities within the same portfolio means we can make a step change in the delivery of affordable housing. We are working closely with local and national park authorities to ensure they have the policy framework, skills and resources to help us provide more housing for the people of Wales.

I am keen to reduce the requirements for planning permission for micro-generation equipment. I am grateful to those who responded to the recent consultation on amendments to permitted development controls on domestic properties. We are currently considering how commercial buildings could benefit from a similar, more permissive approach.
Turning from the ‘One Wales’ agenda, to the UK Government’s agenda, the Planning Bill which was introduced into Parliament on 27 November 2007, presents an opportunity to secure measure powers for Welsh Ministers in relation to that part of planning legislation which is distinctive to Wales. This means that we would have the equivalent of primary legislative powers in relation to local development plans and the Wales Spatial Plan. The UK Government has agreed to introduce clauses to this effect shortly.

Decisions currently determined within Wales continue to be decided here and within the Welsh Assembly Government national policy framework.

The main focus of the Bill is on the UK Government’s desire to streamline the consent regime for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), which is currently contained in various pieces of legislation. Instead of UK Government Ministers determining such applications, they will be submitted to, and determined by the proposed independent Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) from April 2009, subject to the Bill securing Royal Assent next summer (2008).

As the UK Government has confirmed that the Planning Bill is not intended to alter the devolution settlement in Wales, the role of the IPC would be restricted primarily to major onshore energy projects generating over 50 mega watts and offshore projects exceeding 100 megawatts. Such projects are presently determined by the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform .

The Bill contains other provisions relating to town and country planning on which we will seek views at the appropriate time.

We will continue to work with other Government Departments during the progress of the Bill to ensure that the interests of Wales are reflected in the final legislation.

The Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘One Wales’ sets out an ambitious and challenging vision for the next four years. While some of the issues which need to be addressed are global in significance, the Welsh planning system will play its role, alongside the other delivery mechanisms, in helping to meet these challenges. We all need to make a start as soon as possible in whichever sphere we’re working.

We will continue to progress policy innovations which meet the needs of the people of Wales, and we will continue to craft ‘made in Wales’ solutions to specifically Welsh issues utilising all the powers available to us. We are committed to the principles of open and accountable government and we look to our partners and key stakeholders to work constructively alongside us. The success of the planning system is dependent upon the full and active participation and inputs from a variety of stakeholders. We stand ready to work in partnership with all those prepared to deliver the Welsh Assembly Government’s challenging agenda.