Will the Minister outline what steps the Welsh Government has taken to inform residents across Wales of the pre-assessed areas for wind energy following the publication of Future Wales: The National Plan 2040?
The pre-assessed areas for wind energy identified in Policy 17 of Future Wales – the National Plan 2040 are one component of a Wales-wide development plan. Awareness raising with the public, stakeholders and developers during preparation and post-publication have focussed on the plan in its entirety. Specific methods have included the Welsh Government website and social media channels, engagement with Senedd members, meetings with local planning authorities and drop-in sessions in public locations.
Any proposals for wind energy in the pre-assessed areas must obtain planning permission. Large scale proposals will be subject to the Developments of National Significance process. This is a robust process that includes mandatory pre-application consultation with the public, a Local Impact Report from the Local Planning Authority as well as consultation on the application itself.
Future Wales – the National Plan 2040 was scrutinised and approved by Senedd Cymru in autumn 2020.