The Welsh Government has announced a sweeping package of reforms to transform the planning system, aiming to make Wales the fastest country in the UK for determining planning applications.
These reforms, unveiled by Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans are designed to unlock economic growth, create jobs, and build a more efficient, future-ready planning system.
Central to the announcement is a £9 million investment to strengthen the capacity of key planning bodies, including Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and the Welsh Government’s own Planning Directorate. This funding will help accelerate decision-making and reduce delays that have long hindered development.
New fee regulations, due by the end of the year, will generate additional revenue that will be reinvested directly into planning services. The reforms also include support for regional collaboration, with new senior planner roles created in North Wales, and a bursary scheme to fund postgraduate qualifications for aspiring planners — part of a broader effort to address workforce shortages.
Commenting on the reforms, 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.”
Digital transformation is another cornerstone of the plan. The Centre for Digital Public Services is leading projects to improve communication between planning departments and the public, enhance user experience, and establish national digital standards for planning data.
These reforms build on recent progress, including faster decisions on major infrastructure projects and the passage of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act. The near-final text of the Planning (Wales) Bill has also been published, ahead of its formal introduction to the Senedd in September.
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