10. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on amending permitted development rights in Wales? OAQ53080

Thank you. Consultation on the amendment and consolidation of the permitted development Order closed on 28 October. Officials are currently analysing the responses, and we intend to bring forward legislation in 2019, extending permitted development rights to support the roll-out of electric car charging, next generation telecommunications networks, and renewable energy development.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your answer. Do you recognise that the Welsh Government has a role to play in creating the right planning conditions for mobile phone operators to overcome, of course, the challenging business case of rural coverage here in Wales, where the population is sparse in many areas and costs are much higher due to limited availability of power supply and transmission links? Can I ask what considerations you've given to the extension of permitted development rights, as has already occurred in England and Scotland?

Yes. I do think, absolutely we have a role. So, we've had the broad consultation on new permitted development rights, and that included mobile phone infrastructure. As I say, that closed in September. It proposed changes to mast height, mast width, and the emergency use of mobile telecommunications. I’m considering whether to bring forward an amendment Order. That would be made in January and then come into force in the spring.

Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary.