Assembly Diary
PLANNING applications are often controversial and can create tensions in local communities. It doesn’t matter whether the application is small scale housing or a major development project – people will understandably have different viewpoints, and are keen to express them.
However, what is apparent is that the planning system as it currently operates in Wales is in need of reform.
Over recent times I have dealt with a number of planning issues in Bridgend and other parts of my South Wales West region whereby residents have been left feeling disappointed with how the planning process serves them.
Engaging with local communities is key, but far too many communities feel that they have been let down by a lack of consultation over schemes in their area. We’ve seen examples where residents weren’t even aware of the application until it had been approved.
This is not an issue just in Bridgend. Local authorities across Wales tend to have a policy of informing residents of planning applications via a notice on a lamppost. This clearly isn’t the most effective form of engagement, and I am of the view that Welsh Government needs to take action to put a duty on local authorities to engage in a far more effective and direct way.
When planning applications are approved by local authorities, local communities have no right of appeal, unless they are prepared to pay for a judicial review. In most other public services, when a resident is dissatisfied with a decision of the local authority, they have an appeal mechanism available to them, without the need to pay for it. The Welsh Government needs to look at whether a similar system can be developed in the planning system.
Another issue facing residents is housing developers not finishing sites to an acceptable standard. I believe that local authorities should be able to take developers’ track record into account when deciding on any future planning applications – something they are not allowed to do at present.
The Welsh Government needs to take action to tackle these issues.