<p>Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople</p>

Part of 1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 1:37 pm on 28 June 2017.

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Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative 1:37, 28 June 2017

I agree with you because I think the advantage of a pre-planning process is that the very real concerns a community may have can then be addressed, and then can shape the application, but the thrust of the application can continue in a moderated, adapted form. Another thing I think you need to look at, because, in the discussions I’ve had, for instance with housing associations, architects and builders, the Act itself makes a requirement that developers should consult with specified persons or statutory consultees during the PAC stages, but, of course, there’s no requirement for these consultees to respond. But, we are finding that, sometimes, no response comes in pre-application, and, then, an infrastructure company, a utility—all statutory consultees—then raise a major objection during the formal part of the planning application process, which is obviously undermining, or would undermine if this became common practice, the whole basis of these reforms. And it’s important for the social and economic objectives we have for future generations that we improve planning and have proper, regulated, effective planning so that our communities can thrive and flourish.