Planning

The planning system plays an important role in the design, conservation and development of the built communities and natural landscape of Wales. It promotes and controls building development, protects and conserves the environment, supports business and economic development, promotes the redevelopment or reuse of derelict land and buildings, conserves the architectural heritage and promotes high standards in building design and environmental management.

The role of local authorities
Within the 25 planning authorities in Wales (22 local authorities and 3 national parks authorities) the land use planning system sets the framework for the development and use of land. All authorities are required to prepare a Local Development Plan which provides a legally recognised framework for controlling development and determining planning applications within the hierarchy of the Community Strategy.

Councils have statutory responsibilities for:

• the processing and determination of planning applications
• the management of development control, enforcement and building control services
• the conservation of designated areas and the architectural heritage
  control of the excavation of minerals
• the preparation and review of the Local Development Plan
• the preparation and review of strategies for regeneration and conservation

Planning Delivering for Wales is the Welsh Assembly Government’s programme for raising standards in planning across Wales. It sets out five key objectives for the planning system, which are that it should:

• be open, fair and transparent
• inspire public and business confidence
• deliver improved quality and speed
• integrate with other plans processes and actions
• meet the Welsh Assembly Governments overall criteria

There has increasingly been a desire in recent years to utilise the planning system to achieve wider policy goals at both a national and local level. This attempt to join up policy aims is both understandable and in many ways desirable. However this has a clear impact upon the complexity of the planning system and increases the burden on individual planning authorities.

Key challenges

• That the planning regime addresses Sustainable Development and Climate Change whilst balancing the need for economic development and responding to evolving social circumstances
• That policies and programmes, such as the construction of carbon neutral buildings and development of renewable energy are delivered for the benefit of local people in a way which engages all sections of the community
• That we have a greater recognition from all stakeholders of the positive role that planning plays in shaping the way we work, live and play
• That planning helps local authorities and national parks deliver on a wide range of policy objectives such as affordable housing

Key facts

• In 2006, 36,470 planning applications were processed (compared to 25,688 in 2001)
• Various research studies have identified the need to increase the resources available to the planning system. They have shown that the full recovery of the costs of determining planning applications through fees – a long-standing intention of government – has not been achieved
• In 2004, only around two thirds of such costs were recovered through fees.
  Fee increases of around 40% have been identified and proposed and should see significant recovery in terms of the relationship between fees and costs of the development control service

Further information
Planning Statistics Welsh Assembly Government
Local Government Data Unit, Wales
Planning: Delivering for Wales Source: Welsh Assembly Government
Additional information can be found at the Planning Officers’ Society Wales website

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