Carl Sargeant, Minister for Natural Resources, wrote to planning lead members, Chief Planning officers, and to Planning Inspectorate Wales on Monday, reminding them of their obligations under Wales’ policies, including the contribution to discussions at COP21, their duty to help tackle climate change and the requirement to deliver on sustainable development through the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.
He specifically asks local authorities to be more proactive on developing positive local planning policies, and to support community energy projects.
This may well be Carl’s last action on renewables as the outgoing Minister for Natural Resources, pending the outcome of the National Assembly elections.
Commenting on the letter, David Clubb said:
“Carl’s legacy as a Minister has strengthened with every passing month. His commitment to sustainability, his open and thoughtful approach to sustainable development, and his understanding of infrastructure issues has given great confidence to the sector.
“The people of Wales deserve and need to benefit from renewable energy projects of all scales, and this letter is a further reminder to our planning authorities to fulfil their part of our moral – and now legal – contract with current and future generations.
“We very much hope that the incoming Minister to this portfolio will build upon Carl’s work, and pay particular attention to building regulations, which have lagged behind our overall strong moves towards sustainability.”