Report praises Welsh National Park Authorities’ planning
28 May 2009
The WLGA has welcomed the results of the Wales Audit Office’s inspection of the National Park Authorities’ planning services published earlier this week. (Wednesday May 27th).
The three Welsh National Park Authorities - Brecon Beacons, the Pembrokeshire Coast and Snowdonia – were inspected last year and the reports deal with the three elements of the Planning Service: the adoption of a Local Development Plan (LDP); Built Heritage and determining planning applications.
The report praised many elements of the Authorities’ work but also challenged all three with areas for improvement, including the time taken to determine planning applications.
Cllr Bob Wellington (Torfaen), WLGA Planning Spokesperson said:
“We are pleased to see much of the excellent planning work undertaken by our National Parks being recognised. It is extremely difficult to balance often widely competing priorities in a way that protects these areas as balanced sustainable communities. In this context, it is vital that any planning decisions that are taken are the right decisions; both in the current difficult climate but for the future of these unique environments.
Each National Park takes its planning role very seriously and is committed to addressing the improvements highlighted within the report. Indeed, many of the changes put forward by the auditors’ reports were already in motion prior to publication. Local authorities and the National parks will continue to work closely together to exchange good practice and ensure effective planning across Wales.”
Here is a summary of the key findings of the each of the National Park Authorities auditors’ reports.
• Brecon Beacons’ Planning Service had undergone a significant overhaul and the report recognised the Authority’s commitment to providing a quality and timely service to applicants. It was accepted that a strong improvement in determining applications had been shown in the past six months. The Authority was praised for its “best practise validation scheme” which ensures applicants can submit all the appropriate information with their application. Also commended were the up to date Unitary Development Plan and on-target delivery of the Local Development Plan. Significant progress was also highlighted on the Sustainable Design Guide.
• The Pembrokeshire Coast was praised for making ‘good progress despite limited staff resources’ in its built heritage work, such as the conservation and enhancement of listed and historic buildings in the Park. The report also recognised the Authority’s provision and maintenance of up to date adopted planning policies including meeting the time-table for the Local Development Plan, and its publication of specialist guidance including the new Sustainable Design Guide. An improvement in the speed of determining planning applications was also acknowledged, but highlighted as an area where further improvement was needed.
• Snowdonia’s report acknowledged that the Authority has improved since the last inspection in 2005. Customer satisfaction was high and the speed of determining planning applications had improved. The Authority is on schedule to deliver its Local Development Plan and the report acknowledged the Authority’s public consultation on affordable housing and the Welsh language. The Authority’s methods in dealing with listed building consent were praised, as was its work in securing funding for improvements to historic buildings, despite a lack of staff resources.
For Further information visit: www.wao.gov.uk
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