WIREDGOV

The plans, which are set out in a new consultation, are part of the Welsh Government’s work to support economic recovery.  They propose extending permitted development rights for sectors that are key to economic recovery, and would affect shops, offices, factories, educational institutions and hospitals.

In practice this would mean extending the rights of affected organisations to make minor changes to their premises without having to submit planning applications. However the proposals also set out conditions so that developments are a carried out in a way that minimises the impact on others and on the environment.

Environment Minister, John Griffiths, said:

“The Welsh Government is fully committed to creating sustainable growth and jobs and we have always been clear that a reformed Planning system has an important role to play in supporting sustainable economic recovery here in Wales.

“The consultation we are launching today sets out proposals that would extend the rights of businesses to make minor changes to their premises without having to enter the planning application system. We think this will speed up projects, help businesses and organisations avoid additional expense and unnecessary delay, and ultimately encourage investment.

“However we do not plan to relax regulations at the expense of the environment. These proposals stipulate that changes should be made in a manner that is sensitive to neighbours and to the wider environment.”

The consultation is not just about relaxing restrictions. It outlines greater regulation of new hard surfaces in industrial and warehouse developments, proposing the use of permeable materials in order to reduce flood risk.   It also proposes greater restrictions on permitted development rights in World Heritage sites.

The consultation will run from 3/10/2012 until 11/01/2013.

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