Will the Minister confirm that if a non-financially benefiting property fails a residential visual amenity assessment then the proposed development should be refused under Future Wales Policy 18, point 2; therefore, if overruled, should receive compensation or direct benefit as the property is recorded as an unattractive place to live?
Future Wales Policy 18 states that proposals for renewable and low carbon energy projects qualifying as Developments of National Significance (DNS) may be permitted where ‘there are no unacceptable adverse visual impacts on nearby communities and individual dwellings’. Decisions on planning proposals will be taken in accordance with this and other relevant development plan policies, and other material considerations.
Proposals which have unacceptable adverse visual impacts on nearby communities and individual dwellings would be contrary to Future Wales Policy 18. Decisions are sometimes made contrary to a particular development plan policy. This may be due to a conflict with other development plan policies. Where there is a disparity between development plan policies, a balanced and proportionate approach must be taken, taking into account all material considerations on a case-by-case basis. Reasons would be fully explained in a decision report.
The role of the land use planning system is to regulate the development of land in the wider public interest. It is not the role of the planning system to control development on the basis of protecting individual private interests, such as property prices, or to compensate parties if their property is perceived to be less attractive as a result of a planning decision.