Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change
In May 2019 I advised Members that work had begun to create a separate, dedicated planning appeals service for Wales, to take over the functions of the Planning Inspectorate in Wales. I am now delighted to report that the new service, which will be known as Planning and Environment Decisions Wales, will launch on 01 October.
The staff and functions of the Planning Inspectorate’s Wales Division have transferred into Welsh Government to carry out this function, in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Statement of Practice on staff transfers in the public sector. This has ensured the new service will be fully operational from the outset, and has retained the considerable expertise required to carry out its duties.
The service will reside within the Welsh Government, with robust governance arrangements in place to ensure Inspectors will continue to operate impartially and objectively.
Wales now has its own, dedicated service for scrutinising draft Development Plans, and determining applications for Developments of National Significance, planning appeals and associated environmental casework. This will ensure all parts of Government are responsive to the need for effective implementation of the devolved framework for planning and environment legislation and policy.