Thank you, acting Presiding Officer. I'd just like to begin by thanking the Petitions Committee, both the current one and the previous one, for its very thorough consideration of opencast coal matters, including the MTAN on coal. As Lynne Neagle alluded to, it has taken place over a number of years, and it has included various evidence sessions. What I think the result is is a very balanced and informative report, and I support the motion.

Before I turn to the conclusions of the report and the questions raised, I just want to, again, raise the issue of placemaking and its focus in the revised ‘Planning Policy Wales’ as the way to create sustainable, thriving communities. This absolutely embraces the principles of the well-being of future generations Act. It puts the well-being goals at the forefront of discussions that effect communities and the built and natural environment. You may ask why placemaking is relevant to today's debate, and I'd like to say why I think it's relevant. It's because it covers all types of development and the coal industry was the foundation for many places in Wales, which I think was the point made by Dawn Bowden, and it did provide very well paid and local employment. But we are moving to a future based on decarbonised technologies, so we must ensure we encourage high-quality developments with a positive impact on the economy, the environment and our communities. We need to thoroughly and robustly think about the many competing issues we have to deal with when considering development, including how best we use our resources. We must ensure we get the right development in the right place. This is the focus in the revised PPW, and it's applicable when thinking about all types of development.

So, if I could just turn specifically to the conclusions in the report. With regard to conclusion 1, I have consulted on a revised policy in ‘Planning Policy Wales’ to make sure it fits with the well-being goals and supports progress in terms of our decarbonisation agenda. As noted in the report, the proposed revised policy in PPW is restrictive and it will discourage applications for future opencast coal sites. If the policy is confirmed, it will apply to all planning applications for opencast developments that are yet to be determined.

Addressing conclusion 2 follows from the policy approach I've taken in PPW. If we discourage new sites for opencast coalworking coming forward in light of our decarbonisation aspirations and drive to secure renewable energy, then it follows that we would not have to consider the use of call-in powers. I would also draw Members' attention to the existing notification direction in place. This requires local planning authorities to refer applications to me where they are minded to grant planning permission for minerals development that is not in accordance with one or more provisions of the development plan. Again, this brings us to the point of an adopted local development plan being essential. It is the LDP that allows for a planning authority to express its vision for an area and to provide a robust basis on which to make decisions.

Restoration is quite rightly raised in conclusion 3, and I cannot overstate the importance of restoration. Even though my proposed policy will restrict opencast coal developments, I've also taken the opportunity to suggest changes to strengthen policies relating to the provision of financial security to secure the restoration. Restoration is vital. Development without effective restoration plans and the means to secure and fund such plans is not and has never been acceptable. I also agree it's important to keep the effectiveness of planning policy under review. This is already done as a matter of course. It is also important for local planning authorities to monitor individual operating sites in a robust way. They should make use of all the mechanisms available to them, including the monitoring fees regime and by establishing liaison committees.

In response to conclusion 4, I can advise that the responses to the consultation on PPW are now being considered by officials and I intend to issue the final revised policy in the autumn. So, finally, I'd just like to thank the committee again for a very thorough and well-considered report, and Assembly Members for their contributions this afternoon.