How is the Welsh Government monitoring the consistency and timeliness of planning decisions for major infrastructure projects?
The Welsh Government has a duty under Section 62L of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to lay before the Senedd Cymru an annual report on their timeliness of Developments of National Significance (DNS) decisions.
The Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (2024 Act) comes into effect on 15 December. The new process for consenting Significant Infrastructure Projects (SIP) will replace the DNS process. Section 59 of the 2024 Act also places a duty to lay before Senedd Cymru an annual report on their timeliness of SIP decisions. Under the 2024 Act Welsh Ministers must also lay before the Senedd Cymru a statement about each Direction given to extend the time period for determination of a SIP explaining its effect and why it was given.
Infrastructure decisions are made in accordance with the development plan, including the National Development Framework (NDF) for Wales prepared under Section 60 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (2004 Act). Under Section 60C of the 2004 Act the Welsh Ministers must keep the NDF under review. A broad range of indicators and evidence will provide the tool and process by which the Welsh Government can assess whether the NDFs policies and outcomes are being implemented successfully. After the end of the review period the Welsh Ministers must publish a statement setting out an assessment of whether NDF should be revised.