Welsh Planning Guidance

Useful list of current Welsh Government Planning Guidance sources. Published today so expect new guidance cancelling some of these any day. 

Denbighshire Local Development Plan

The report into the Denbighshire LDP Examination has been released. Not surprisingly, given the lengths to which it seemed both Inspector and Welsh Government went to facilitate the proposals, it has been found 'Sound' with modifications. 

25 additional housing sites are allocated to address concerns over deliverability of housing from the Bodelwyddan Key site in the immediate term and generally.  A minimum density policy requires 35 dwellings per ha.  

Viability issues for Affordable Housing result in an initial AH target of 10% on housing sites of 3 or more units along with monitoring points which would see that target rise where house sales prices increase to specified points above 2009 levels.

Other key changes include a new static and touring caravans policy which facilitates remodelling of existing static sites, potential for modest increases in numbers and which encourages suitable small scale touring caravan sites.

The report, was issued on 26th April and is binding on the Council. It will be reported to Full Council on 4 June 2013. Regardless of whether or not the Council choose to "ratify" it (see final line of press release) the plan has to be adopted by no later than 21 June 2013 whereupon it will replace the current Unitary Development Plan. 

We are ready to review all your proposals and present them to the Council so they will be LDP compliant.

Permitted Development Right Changes: England

Much vaunted over the last few months, relaxed permitted development right in England have been announced today which come into effect from 30 May 2013.

The changes provide amongst other things for 

• a temporary period to complete larger domestic extensions (subject to a "light touch" prior approval mechanism) 
• changes of use of (Offices Class B1A) to Dwellings
• changes of use of agricultural buildings to a variety of commercial uses
• Temporary changes of use.

The changes are in many instances time limited whilst the wording, requirements and conditions of the revisions wont necessarily remove these changes from control all together, with many being subject to a prior approval mechanism.

The changes are inevitably complex (as well as not applying in a few areas) so we recommend you take our advice early to ensure your interests are fully considered.

Meanwhile over here in Wales, there remain no signs that Welsh Government intend to relax PD rights to anywhere the same extent or even progress on the consultation to move to the earlier English model which was consulted on in 2010/11.