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Mr Griffiths presented a new study on how the planning system could help deliver economic growth at the annual Wales Planning Conference. He said.

“It is clear from the research report that there is more that all participants in the planning system can do to improve planning for economic development.”

“The Welsh Government accepts the recommendations in full.  In taking them forward I will be consulting on revised economic development planning policies and a framework economic development Technical Advice Note later this year.  I will discuss with Cabinet colleagues how we take forward the recommendations.”  

“In implementing the report, planning will do more to support economic growth and jobs by making Wales a better place to do business.”

Last year the Welsh Government commissioned a research study to investigate how the planning system helps to deliver economic development in Wales.  The research identifies a number of improvements that should be made to the planning system to support economic growth and jobs.

The research was informed by a comprehensive evidence base including a detailed review of national policy, case studies from local authorities; lessons learnt from other UK administrations; and discussions with stakeholders.  A research steering group made up of representatives from the business sector, (including the CBI and FSB) environment sector, planning profession and local authorities, have overseen the project and endorsed its findings and recommendations.

The recommendations for improvement include:

• the need to refresh economic development national planning policy supported by a new technical advice note;
• the provision of a central economic information resource to inform the evidence base for Local Development Plans (LDPs) and development management decisions;
• closer working between planning and economic development functions at the local level, with economic development teams playing a greater role in LDP preparation and providing advice on planning applications for economic uses;
• the need for businesses to do more to identify and promote the economic value of development through both LDP and development management processes;
• the requirement for a new strategic planning arrangement at above local planning authority level.

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