Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
The Welsh Government’s ambition is that Wales should be the fastest country in the UK to determine infrastructure applications.
To help deliver this, the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 will improve decision making for large scale infrastructure projects through accelerated decision making. This Act provides for faster decision making on major development coupled with appropriate community and stakeholder engagement.
The following pieces of subordinate legislation for implementation of the Act have now been made:
- The Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2025;
- The Infrastructure Consent (Pre-Application and Application Procedure and Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025;
- The Infrastructure Consent (Examination and Decision) (Procedure) (Wales) Regulations 2025;
- The Infrastructure Consent (Fees) (Wales) Regulations 2025;
- The Infrastructure Consent (Compulsory Acquisition) (Wales) Regulations 2025; and
- The Infrastructure Consent (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025.
The regulations now in place mean we are able to progress towards the new infrastructure consenting process becoming operational from the 15 December of this year.
We are currently preparing guidance on a number of areas to supplement the new consenting process. This will include guidance setting out further detailed advice on pre-application requirements, making an application, and how communities can get involved.
My officials will also conduct training with stakeholders, including local planning authorities, on the new consenting process before it comes into force.
This new system will replace the current ‘Developments of National Significance’ as well as other consenting regimes. Applicants will still be able to submit their proposals for determination under the existing consenting regimes until the 15 December.
The Act makes provision to ensure the smooth transition between consenting systems. This is designed to ensure stakeholders are effectively engaged prior to the submission of an application but avoids unnecessary duplication which may cause confusion. Developers are encouraged to seek pre-application advice from Planning Environment Decisions Wales on their consenting route so that this process is as smooth as possible.
I intend to bring forward a further two sets of regulations on provisions for consequential and transitional arrangements and for changing and revoking an infrastructure consent order later in the year.