The planning system plays an important role in people’s lives; through the design, conservation and development of the built environment and the natural landscape of Wales. Where and how we work, live and play matters.
Planning has a role in promoting and controlling building development, protecting and conserving the environment, supporting business and economic development, protecting our architectural heritage and promoting high standards in building design and environmental management.
Each of the 25 planning authorities in Wales (22 local authorities and 3 national parks authorities) set the framework for the development and use of land within national planning policy through the preparation of a Local Development Plan and following the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 can work with neighbouring authorities to prepare a Strategic Development Plan and establish a Strategic Planning Panel.
There are major challenges ahead for the planning service:
- There are new duties to be implemented as a result of new legislation, not only the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 but also the Historic Environment Act 2016) which will require local planning authorities to work differently
- Regional initiatives such as City Deals will challenge planners to ensure that they are full involved and able to play their part in delivery
- There is also a continuing focus on improving performance and changing the culture of planning to be more enabling
- As is the case with many services, expectations around delivery have increased at a time when the service has seen a reduction in available resource
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For more information contact: Tim Peppin