The Senedd agrees that the Planning (Wales) Bill and the Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Bill should proceed as consolidation Bills. The debate focused on the purpose, scope and implementation of the legislation, alongside the findings of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee.
Julie James, Mike Hedges, Joel James and Adam Price spoke in this hearing.
Nature and Purpose of the Bills
The Counsel General confirmed that both Bills are technical consolidation measures, not policy reforms. Their purpose is to bring together and restate existing primary planning legislation into a single, coherent, bilingual framework, improving accessibility and clarity without altering the legal effect of the law.
Members acknowledged that the consolidation represents a significant milestone for Welsh law‑making, ensuring that planning law in Wales can be accessed clearly in both English and Welsh for the first time.
Concerns raised by stakeholders
Concerns raised by stakeholders, particularly national park authorities, about clarity in relation to development plans and planning functions were addressed. The Counsel General confirmed that minor, technical amendments would be brought forward at Stage 2 to provide further certainty, particularly on matters relating to local development plan expiry.
Subordinate Legislation and Implementation
It was confirmed that existing subordinate planning legislation will remain in force on commencement of the consolidated code and will be restated and consolidated incrementally following Royal Assent.
The Welsh Government outlined that a formal implementation programme will be published after Royal Assent, with responsibility for delivery passing to the next Welsh Government.
Interaction with UK legislation
The hearing confirmed that:
· The Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Bill will continue to be kept under review throughout scrutiny
· Further amendments will be made where necessary to ensure the Bill reflects the final form of relevant UK legislation
· Matters outside devolved planning competence, such as certain environmental regimes, are correctly excluded from the scope of consolidation
Adam Price says overall process of the Bills have been very positive