2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:46 pm on 23 March 2021.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 2:46, 23 March 2021

Trefnydd, could I ask for a statement on the challenges facing the use of stop notices and enforcement powers during the pandemic? I've got a long-running issue in my constituency in Rhiwceiliog where stop notices have been placed on unlawful developments in a very peaceful, quiet area. They've been issued, but they've been wilfully ignored, where there's been harassment and intimidation from the unlawful occupiers, who are proceeding to rip up hedges, destroy sensitive ecology, historic parts of the site. And you can understand, Minister, that local residents are deeply frustrated. Police have been involved, Natural Resources Wales have been involved, the local authority has been involved. So, could we have a statement on the use of enforcement powers and stop notices during the pandemic, but also a statement that could make clear that, if we have a future Welsh Labour Government, we will bring forward in an environment Act, and we will have in that environment Act, padlock powers so that stop means stop? When unlawful activity is prohibited from going ahead, people will be stopped from going onto that site, and if we hadn't had the distraction, I have to say, of civil servants being pulled away from EU transitioning, we'd have had that Act a long time ago. So, could we have that statement, Minister? It would be great reassurance to residents in Rhiwceiliog.