What action is the Welsh Government taking to modernise planning legislation and guidance, including the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, to expand the range of developments treated as permitted developments?
The Welsh Government is modernising planning legislation through the Planning (Wales) Bill, currently under Senedd scrutiny. If agreed, it will provide Wales with the most comprehensive and accessible statement of planning law in the UK.
Following Royal Assent of the Bill, the subsequent stage will focus on its implementation. This will include a phased approach to updating guidance and consolidating the subordinate legislation underpinning the planning system. Due to the Bill’s current scrutiny timetable, responsibility for its implementation will rest with the next Government.
On permitted development specifically, notwithstanding any future consolidation of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, I intend to bring forward amendments to this Order before the end of this Senedd.
This will fulfil commitments to offer increased flexibility for the installation of air source heat pumps and allow the use of land for temporary camp sites, without the requirement to apply for planning permission.