Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
The Welsh Government is committed to accelerating decision making for large scale infrastructure projects, whilst also ensuring that our communities have appropriate opportunities to fully engage in the process and our environment is protected.
To help deliver this ambition, yesterday, I laid five pieces of legislation for the implementation of the consenting process set out by the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024. The Act establishes a new process for consenting of significant infrastructure projects in Wales, including energy, waste, water and transport projects.
The regulations set out the detail underpinning the provisions provided in the Act and have been informed by our consultation and engagement with stakeholders. They are designed to work together to ensure the new infrastructure consenting process meets the needs of all stakeholders in Wales.
The Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2025 commences provisions within the Act.
The Infrastructure Consent (Pre-Application and Application Procedure and Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025 make provision for pre-application procedures to be undertaken on a proposed significant infrastructure project and set out how the Welsh Ministers will process an application submitted to them.
The Infrastructure Consent (Examination and Decision) (Procedure) (Wales) Regulations 2025 make provision for the procedure for examination of infrastructure applications by the examining authority and decision-making processes to be undertaken on those applications.
The Infrastructure Consent (Fees) (Wales) Regulations 2025 allow for public authorities to charge fees to applicants for their functions in determining applications for infrastructure consent.
The Infrastructure Consent (Compulsory Acquisition) (Wales) Regulations 2025 make provision for additional procedures for allowing the compulsory acquisition of land or rights over land as part of an infrastructure consent order.
The Infrastructure Consent (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025 make provision for matters outside of the main process but are essential to ensure the Infrastructure Act and new consenting process are appropriately implemented.