Out-Law News 1 min. read
31 May 2012, 4:56 pm
The guidance is designed to encourage people to talk through their plans with local authorities before submitting a planning application. It was launched by Welsh Environment Minister John Griffiths.
“The Welsh Government is committed to improving the planning process and to making it as user friendly and speedy as possible,” said Griffiths. "This guidance encourages local planning authorities and applicants to sit down together and discuss their proposals in detail before any planning application is formally submitted."
The guidance has been designed to help both the local authority and those that are seeking planning permission and aims to ensure that the right questions are asked and answered.
"The idea is that this will help to improve the quality of planning applications, reduce the time it takes to deal with them and help users avoid the cost and time implications of having to submit a series of applications," said Griffiths.
It should also benefit those who are consulted on proposals, including nearby communities, as it will reduce the number of amendments to submitted applications, he said.
The guidance was launched by the Minister at the Royal Town Planning Institute Cymru annual conference, where he updated the audience on ongoing improvements to the planning system, aimed at making it easier to navigate.
The Government is looking to extend permitted development rights and has introduced regulations that extend the types of micro generation equipment that can be installed in homes in order to increase renewable energy production by householders, said Griffiths. These will come into force on 18th June.
An Independent Advisory Group whose members were appointed last year to report on the future options for the delivery of the Welsh Government's proposed Planning Bill is expected to report on its findings next month, said Griffiths. The Bill is aimed at "creating sustainable places for people".
The Welsh Government has also commissioned a number of studies on different aspects of the planning system, which are due to be reported on this summer. A series of stakeholder consultation events are then planned, which will inform the content of the Welsh Government's Planning White Paper, due to be published in 2013.
The Welsh Government has already implemented some changes and last month it announced a new Development Management Procedure Order for Wales, which has consolidated procedures for dealing with planning applications.
