Thank you, acting Presiding Officer. Now, I stand to raise some concerns about the national development framework. For a start, the regional approach itself is flawed, especially when looking at north and mid Wales. Whilst the gross value added per head in Anglesey is £15,000 and in Gwynedd is £21,308, the main focus for the region is Flintshire and Wrexham, both with higher GVAs. Does the Minister not agree with me that policy 17 or policy 20 in the schedule of changes should be amended so that the whole of north Wales benefits, and, as such, primary focus could be shared between Wrexham, Deeside and the Caernarfon, Bangor and Menai straits area? 

Whilst noting the aim of policy 25 in the schedule of changes, which is to support sustainable growth and development in a series of interconnected towns across mid Wales, why not introduce a policy putting Aberystwyth on the same level as Wrexham and Swansea as the main focus for investment? This could actually help drive up investment along the west coast and through mid Wales, and provide equal opportunity for all citizens. 

Now, the voice of our residents must be heard in this plan. Policy 21 states that communities like Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and Prestatyn will be a focus for managed growth and housing. So, what assurances, Minister, can you give residents worried that policies such as 21 and 29 will not undermine their efforts to save our green fields? In fact, I believe that there are only two references to brownfield sites and developments in the whole NDF. Surely, it would be a positive move to produce a policy that gives priority to developments in such areas.

The NDF also fails our rural communities. This line in policy 4 says it all:

'The future for rural areas are best planned at the regional and local level.'

You could do better than this. Why not introduce policies that champion the saving of rural schools and facilities, improvement of B roads and access, and Welsh Government working with digital communication providers to ensure that the needs of rural areas are addressed, and utilisation of the more than 600 rivers flowing across Wales through encouraging investment in micro and small-scale hydro schemes? You claim that the NDF provides a firm basis to tackle climate change. Any green energy drive would be hampered by the grid. RenewableUK have reported that networks in Wales are not resilient. Marine Energy Wales have called for the addressing of grid capacity issues, with vital infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the 50GW potential. And even the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs has noted the need for new infrastructure to achieve decarbonisation targets.

According to policy 17, you will work with stakeholders to transition to a multivector grid network and reduce the barriers for implementation of new grid infrastructure. So, I would like more detail on this, a target for when the infrastructure should be improved, and assurances that, should new grid infrastructure be built across mid Wales, funding will be made available to put this below ground. For example, the beauty of rural Wales must be protected, and, if necessary, through the expansion or creation of national parks or AONBs. If no action is taken on grid capacity, how can you be sure that new windfarms at the pre-assessed areas for wind energy in mid Wales can connect? It is claimed that policy 17 recognises the wealth of current and emerging renewable energy technologies, so why, then, is there a presumption in favour of large-scale wind energy development? Why not all renewable energy sources? Will you change the NDF so that it really is about all of Wales, with attention given to the sea and marine energy also?

Finally, Wales also needs a stronger commitment on transport. Policy 36 notes that the South East Wales Transport Commission is advising on tackling congestion on the M4. You should just get on and deliver a relief road. This NDF lacks ambition for the whole of Wales, and, as such, I encourage you all to support the Welsh Conservative amendment. Thank you. Diolch.