Wales planning news, April 2019

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Wales planning news, April 2019

01 Apr 2019
       

Contents

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Headline news

 
     
 

Spring Statement 2019

On 13 March, the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered his Spring Statement, which included few details on new funding allocations and policy proposals in light of the already announced full Spending Review that will take place in Summer 2019.

Of particular interest to Wales was the announcement of the allocation of £8m of funding to the North Wales region as part of the Full Fibre Networks challenge fund, which is aimed to aid the development of full fibre broadband coverage across the Region.

The Chancellor also launched a consultation which will consider proposals to support private investment in the delivery of infrastructure across the UK. The Infrastructure Finance Review consultation will close on 5 June 2019.

Written Ministerial Statement, Spring Statement 2019

Written Statement, Welsh Government response to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Spring Statement

HM Treasury, Infrastructure Finance Review

Lichfields, Economic Outlook: Spring Statement 2019, remarkably robust

     

 

Quote of the month

 
     
     
     
 
Our commitment to the Swansea Bay City Deal is strong and both governments are determined to see it deliver for the communities of south-west Wales. Working with our regional partners, this review report will help us to achieve this ambition.
UK and Welsh Governments response to the Swansea Bay City Deal independent review
 
     
     

 

Judge upholds Welsh Minister’s decision on wind farm approval

A judge has confirmed the Welsh Minister’s approval of a seven turbine wind farm in Powys, which was granted against an Inspector’s recommendation.

Powys County Council refused to grant planning permission for the proposal, which led the applicant to appeal the Council’s decision. Following the related public inquiry, the planning inspector recommended that the appeal was dismissed.

However, the Welsh Minister for energy, planning and rural affairs granted planning permission saying in her report (quoted in the judgement):
'I am of the view, in this case, the proposal's contribution to renewable energy targets constitutes an exceptional circumstance for the purpose of paragraph 6.5.5 of PPW, particularly as the identified harm is reversible and the setting of the scheduled monuments will revert back to their present state once the scheme is decommissioned. […] Therefore, I disagree with the Inspector's recommendation…'.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales applied for a judicial review of the Welsh Minister’s decision which failed according to a judgement by Sir Wyn Williams handed down on 18 March. The judge found that the benefits of the development had not been disputed by the Minister and:
'Whether those benefits properly constituted exceptional circumstances was, quintessentially, a matter of judgment for the decision-maker. It would not have surprised me if the Defendant had concluded that the benefits did not amount to exceptional circumstances. After all, that is what the Inspector found. However, I do not consider that there is any basis for categorising the Defendant's decision as irrational'.

Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (Brecon and Radnor Branch) v The Welsh Ministers

 

Inquiry on sources of funding of major Welsh Government projects launched

The Welsh Assembly’s Finance Committee has announced the opening of a new inquiry into the different sources of capital funding available to Welsh Government to fund major projects, such as transport and social infrastructure.

Specifically, the Committee will closely review the Welsh Government’s Mutual Investment Model (MIM) which sees private partners building and maintaining public assets, and the Welsh Government to pay a fee to the private partner to cover the cost of construction, maintenance and project financing. Assets would then be transferred into public ownership at the end of the contract.

The Committee has also launched a consultation to inform their inquiry, inviting those with an interest in the subject to submit evidence. The consultation closes on 23 April 2019.

Welsh Assembly, New Consultation looks at sources of funding for major Welsh Government projects

Welsh Assembly, Inquiry into the Welsh Government’s capital funding sources

Swansea Bay City Deal independent review: UK and Welsh Government response

In January 2019, the Welsh and UK Governments jointly commissioned an independent Review of the arrangements for the delivery of the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal.

The Review has now been published, making seven recommendations on how to improve the delivery of the Deal’s outcomes. The recommendations include the urgent appointment (by end of April 2019) of a Portfolio Director to ensure continuity of and leadership on the Swansea Bay City Deal, and that the UK Government, Welsh Government, and Local Authority officials reach a swift conclusion on the Yr Egin and Swansea Waterfront business cases to ensure funding can flow as needed.

Both Governments accepted the review recommendations. Specifically, they stated that their initial priority will focus on the 'urgent finalisation of the business cases for the Swansea Waterfront Digital District and the project at Yr Egin in Carmarthen'.

UK and Welsh Governments, Swansea Bay City Deal Independent Review: UK and Welsh Governments response

UK and Welsh Governments, Swansea Bay City Deal Independent Review

     

 

The Lichfields perspective

 
     
     
     
 
It is encouraging that the independent review of the Swansea Bay City Deal recognises the positive impacts that it will have on the region. The investment earmarked has the potential to stimulate developments that will unlock economic growth and transform the regional economy. The recent recommendations that have been put forward should improve the deliverability of the Deal’s ambitions, though commitment of funds in the short-term will also be crucial to give confidence to all parties and help leverage further private sector investment.
Lewis Condé, 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