Paul Davies calling for clarity on planning developments in Senedd, July 15

Tindle News

A CALL has been made by local Senedd Member Paul Davies for the Welsh Government to urgently clarify the position on planning developments within Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), following growing concern among local businesses in west Wales. Local planning authorities are adopting a precautionary approach to applications, following a letter that they have received from Natural Resources Wales (NRW). This approach is being taken despite the absence of any formal published planning guidance. As a result, any planning application that shows potential runoff into a SAC will not be determined until NRW releases updated guidance. This has led to confusion and delays, even though developments have previously been approved under existing NRW protocols. Deputy Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Mr Davies said: “This uncertainty is having a serious impact in west Wales. Local businesses are facing uncertainty and delays that could threaten jobs and investment. We cannot afford to let planning authorities be paralysed by a lack of clear direction. “I’ve raised this issue at the Senedd and called for an urgent statement from the Welsh Government to clarify the situation and ensure NRW provides updated guidance to planning authorities. We need to see swift action, as without it, developments will be stalled, businesses will suffer, and jobs could be at risk.”

Transcript

00:00the plenary agendas. Business for the first three weeks of the autumn term is shown on the

00:08business statement which is available to members electronically. Paul David.

00:14Dioch, Dio Brulawid. Tremini, I'd like to request an urgent statement regarding planning in special

00:19areas of conservation. I've recently met with local businesses who are deeply concerned that

00:24planning authorities in West Wales are adopting a precautionary approach to applications.

00:30Based on a letter they've recently received from Natural Resources Wales. This is despite any formal

00:35planning guidance being updated and so this approach is happening despite any actual change

00:41taking place. It has been made clear by local planning authorities that planning applications

00:46that involve any potential runoff into a special area of conservation will not be determined until NRW

00:53updates its official planning guidance. Though planning applications have been progressing until

00:58recently under existing NRW guidance and the guidance has not yet changed. Tremini, the

01:05economic implications for West Wales cannot be ignored. If developments are stalled it will

01:11seriously affect local businesses and jobs could be at stake. We therefore urgently need a statement

01:17from either the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs or

01:22indeed the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change. It's essential that the current situation is clarified for all concerned

01:29and that the Welsh Government must ensure that development is not brought to a standstill in West Wales.

01:35Thank you, Paul Davis. This is a matter of support. At the moment, this is a matter of

01:42in theouring of local planning authorities. But obviously, and democratically elected local authorities,

01:50the planning functions are very much guided by planning policy Wales, but also of course, taking into account

01:59account guidance from other bodies such as NRW. You've raised the question, it's

02:06obviously needs a lot more explanation about impacts in terms of already

02:12whether these changes are being made but anyway I think it's important that you

02:17have raised it and I'm sure the cabinet secretaries will respond in terms of

02:22further questions.

02:25Diochthe'r Pwylywyd, Trefnydd as you'll be aware Intercaltig, Delorian takes place

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