Will the Minister make a statement on the fact that some local planning authorities are having to pause work on local development plans because of the Natural Resources Wales's advice to planning authorities for planning applications affecting phosphorus sensitive river special areas of conservation?
A number of Local Development Plans across Wales are currently paused due to the failure of several river Special Areas of Conservation to meet new phosphate targets. Work is underway to apportion phosphate levels with the main sources expected to be agriculture and waste water treatment plants. To comply with the requirement for Habitats Regulations Assessment, local planning authorities must demonstrate that there is no adverse effect on SACs from phosphates generated by new development and that appropriate mitigation measures are in place.