Welsh Government launches planning framework consultation

The Welsh government has launched a consultation to promote sustainable growth in its towns and cities over the next 20 years.

Housing and local government minister Julie James has today (August 7) launched the consultation on the proposed National Development Framework.

The planning framework will set the direction for the next 20 years on where new homes, jobs and services will be located.

It includes putting a special focus on growing existing urban areas and ensuring that homes, jobs and services are all located in the same area.

The document also stresses there should also be a focus on delivering more affordable homes at scale and pace.

And it identifies Cardiff, Newport and the Valleys: Swansea Bay and Llanelli and Wrexham and Deeside as ‘nationally significant’ urban areas where there should be large-scale housing and jobs growth.

In other places, it argues that development should meet local aspirations and complement the growing urban areas.

The document also includes plans to introduce priority areas for large-scale wind farms and solar panel systems.

‘We want to promote sustainable growth in Wales, focused around existing towns and cities,’ said Ms James.

‘This strategy is sufficiently flexible to respond to the challenges of the next twenty years.

‘We are ambitious to increase the amount of renewable energy generated here in Wales; the National Development Framework sets out where we believe large scale renewable energy projects should be located in Wales,’ she added.

‘We know that Wales needs more good quality housing; to develop renewable energy and for people to be able to access well-paid jobs close to where they live.

‘I am committed to building more council housing at pace and scale in Wales, and to see far more affordable homes to rent from councils and other social landlords. I want a planning system that consistently meets all our needs; and for our villages, towns and cities to be organised in a way that makes it easier to live healthy and active lives, for us and for future generations,’ said Ms James.

‘I believe the policies set out in the National Development Framework will help to deliver this.’

The consultation is open until Friday 1 November. More details are available here.

Photo Credit – Juliaavisphillips (Pixabay)