Wales planning news, May 2018
01 May 2018
Contents |
||||||||
|
|
01
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
02
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
03
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
04
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
05
|
|
|
|||||
|
06
|
|
|||||||
|
07
|
|
|||||||
Print this planning news
Headline news |
||
National Development Framework for Wales consultation launched
On 30 April, the Welsh Government published consultation proposals for the first draft of its National Development Framework (NDF) for Wales views are sought on the NDF Preferred Option, Vision, Objectives and Issues.
The consultation document sets out the proposed 20 year land use framework for Wales, and once finalised will direct strategic development plans and local development plans across the whole of Wales.
The consultation document highlights twelve policy elements of the NDF, including 'City Regions & Growth Deals', 'Housing', 'Transport', 'Welsh Language' and 'Digital infrastructure'; a series of objectives are presented under these headings.
Furthermore, the consultation provides four alternative options the Welsh Government has considered, although it is recognised that 'each option had positive elements and no single option would alone deliver the NDF objectives.' Accordingly, the Welsh Government has developed a 'hybrid option' which focuses on 'Sustainable Places'; this option draws together the key strengths of each alternative option, and is the basis for the proposed Preferred Option.
The Preferred Option, which would set out the framework for the NDF preparation, identifies the spatial issues and the strategic direction of NDF policies; these are presented around the following 5 topical areas:
-
Placemaking;
-
Distinctive & Natural Places;
-
Productive & Enterprising Places;
-
Active & Social Places; and
-
Wales's Regions.
The first four topical areas reflect the themes identified in the recently published Edition 10 PPW consultation draft.
The consultation closes on 23 July. The current expectation is that the Welsh Government will consult on a draft NDF in summer 2019, with the aim of publishing the finalised NDF in September 2020.
Welsh Government, National Development Framework: Issues, options and preferred option
|
|
Quote of the month |
|
| Welsh Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, in the Foreword to the National Development Framework 'Issues, Options and Preferred Option' consultation document | ||
First Minister Carwyn Jones to stand down
On 21 April, Carwyn Jones announced that he will stand down as Wales’ First Minister. The announcement was made at the Welsh Labour Party Conference, as he stated his intention to stand down as party leader in autumn this year.
BBC News, Carwyn Jones to quit as first minister after the ‘darkest of times’
Committee’s report highlights encouraging progress on historic buildings’ protection in Wales
The Welsh Assembly’s Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee has published its report on the impact of the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016 in improving protection of listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments in Wales.
‘Past and Present - Inquiry into the Historic Environment’ highlights how the Committee found that ‘in broad terms’ the Act seems to work well for achieving its goals; furthermore, the Committee has also welcomed the role of Cadw (the Welsh Government’s historic environment service).
Among the report’s recommendations, the Committee has underlined how Cadw should start re-awarding grants to owners of listed buildings and scheduled monuments at risk; this follows the suspension of the grant programme, which Cadw undertook in order to improve its financial situation.
RTPI Cymru raises concerns over Welsh National Marine Plan’s implementation
RTPI Cymru has published its response to the Welsh Government’s draft National Marine Plan, which was out for consultation until 29 March.
In its response, RTPI Cymru welcomes the ‘ambitious vision’ of the draft Plan and ‘the aspiration to achieve the UK’s shared vision and the sustainable management of natural resources’.
However, RTPI Cymru has also noted that the draft Plan is ‘too long and could be slimmed down considerably to make the policies clear and make it a more accessible document’. Finally, RTPI Cymru has also expressed its concerns in relation to the draft Plan’s implementation, particularly in terms of local planning authorities’ resources.
RTPI Cymru, Response to: Draft Welsh National Marine Plan, March 2018
Wales to pioneer EU funded community energy scheme
Welsh Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford has announced that Wales is taking part in a €5.4m EU-backed initiative to support the development of local community energy schemes.
The project, which sees the involvement of eleven ‘North West European partners’, aims to build a pan-European network of community energy cooperatives with the view of fostering the growth of the community energy sector.
The Welsh Finance Secretary said:
‘This project will bring together expertise from across Europe, sharing the same opportunities, challenges and resources. I’m delighted to see EU funding supporting this collaboration to help develop a strong and sustainable community energy sector in Wales.’
Welsh Government, Wales a key partner in pioneering EU funded community energy scheme
District-heating network proposal for Cardiff
On 19 April, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet discussed proposals to develop a district heating network in areas of Cardiff Bay and the city centre, resolving to approve in principle the ‘Outline Business Case’ for its implementation.
The proposed £26.5m scheme will generate energy by burning non-recyclable waste coming from the Trident Park Energy Recovery Facility. Both the Central and Welsh Governments have funded the development of an ‘Outline Business Case’ to evaluate the potential of the project.
Welsh Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said:
‘We are supporting a range of initiatives and have provided significant assistance to Cardiff Council to develop the project to this stage. We will continue to work in partnership with Cardiff Council with the ambition of making the project a reality.’
Cardiff City Council, district-heating network proposed for CardiffCardiff Council, Cardiff Heat Network: approval of the Outline Business Case for the Cardiff Heat Network, Report of Director of Planning, Transport & Environment
Design of Cardiff’s Cycle Superhighway Network unveiled
The proposal for the first 1km section of the Cardiff’s Cycle Superhighway Network has been unveiled by Cardiff City Council.
The fully segregated cycling infrastructure will run from St Andrew’s Crescent along St Andrew’s Place and Senghennydd Road.
Councillor Caro Wild, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, commented:
‘These proposed designs for the first section of our planned Cycle Superhighways are the start of a journey that, along with other planned improvements to the city’s cycling infrastructure, could transform Cardiff into a world class cycling city.’
A consultation on the design of the proposal will run until 11 May.
Cardiff City Council, Design for first section of Cardiff’s Cycle Superhighway Network revealedCardiff City Council, Cycle Superhighways consultations
|
|
The Lichfields perspective |
|
| Davina Powell, Associate Director | ||
Disclaimer: This publication has been written in general terms and cannot be relied on to cover specific situations. We recommend that you obtain professional advice before acting or refraining from acting on any of the contents of this publication. Lichfields accepts no duty of care or liability for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of any material in this publication. Lichfields is the trading name of Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Limited. Registered in England, no.2778116