Policy in Wales

The Institute in Wales responds to a range of consultations conducted by the Welsh Government, the National Assembly for Wales' Committees and other national bodies, and produces position papers on policy issues relevant to Wales, as well as considering UK proposals from a Wales' perspective.

The RTPI Cymru responses and policy work is the responsibility of its Policy and Research Forum, supported by the National Director.

Current policy consultations

RTPI Cymru is asked to comment on various consultations documents. Members' views on current consultations are always welcome and should be submitted by e-mail to Roisin Willmott, National Director, or by post to the RTPI Cymru Office.

The Forum is currently considering the following consultations, if you would like to provide comments for the Forum to consider please e-mail.  The deadline for responding to RTPI Cymru is given against each consultation, with a hyperlink to the consultation document. 

Active Travel Bill

The Active Travel (Wales) Bill places a requirement on local authorities to continuously improve facilities and routes for walkers and cyclists and to prepare maps identifying current and potential future routes for their use. The Bill will also require new road schemes to consider the needs of pedestrians and cyclists at design stage.

• RTPI closing date: 15th March 2013

Recent Policy Responses

RTPI Cymru's to consultations made during 2012 can be found below; responses made in previous years can be found by following the links to the left.

Non-material Amendments to Planning Permissions

Non-material amendments to an existing planning permission are normally small changes to an approved development proposal that have no impact on the overall context of the development scheme or its surroundings. There is no formal process for approving these changes. So the current approach taken by local planning authorities in dealing with them varies across the country. The consultation set out the Welsh Government's proposals to introduce an application process for making non-material changes to existing planning permissions.

RTPI Cymru's response can be viewed here.

Sustainable Development White Paper

A Welsh Government consultation on a future Bill to broaden the scope of the Sustainable Development duty to public bodies.  RTPI Cymru's response can be viewed here.

Vibrant and Viable Places

This consultation document was the result of a policy review of approaches to regeneration instigated by the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage in February 2012. RTPI Cymru's response can be viewed here.

Proposed changes to non-domestic permitted development rights

The Welsh Government undertook a programme of measures to improve the planning application process.  This consultation paper forms part of these measures and proposes the extension of permitted development rights in key economic sectors. 

The proposed changes would provide greater flexibility for businesses and some institutions by removing the need to submit planning applications for some minor developments.  The proposals would also require new hardstandings associated with industrial/warehouse development to be made of permeable material in order to reduce floodrisk, and would provide greater protection for World Heritage Sites.

Details of the consultation are contained in a consultation document which can be found on the Welsh Government's consultation pages. RTPI Cymru's response can be viewed here.

Natural Resources Body for Wales

This was an additional consultation relating to the creation of the new body. There were two parts to this consultation:

• the duties of the new body; and
• more information on legal and working arrangements of the body.

RTPI Cymru's response is available here.

Building Regulations Part L Review

The Building Regulations control certain types of building work and ensure that buildings meet certain standards of health, safety, welfare, convenience and sustainability. In setting standards for building work the Building Regulations influence emission reductions in new buildings and existing buildings in Wales.

The Welsh Government want to improve the energy performance of buildings in Wales through the Building Regulations, to help Wales move towards zero carbon and near zero carbon energy buildings by 2020. This consultation contains proposals for:

Changes to Part L(Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Building Regulations;Changes to the Approved Documents for Wales;A new template for the Approved Documents for Wales; andA discussion of future thinking as we move towards zero carbon.

RTPI Cymru's response is available here.