4. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Minister for Climate Change regarding calling in planning applications in Wales? OQ56870

Thank you for your question. Whether legal advice is required in relation to a request to call in a planning application is decided on an individual basis and is subject to legal professional privilege. 

Thank you. Now, as of 3 September, the Welsh Government has 56 call-in planning applications without any final decision. Examples: live application case 1236, commenced in 2017; case 1069, 2016; and, shockingly, two open cases, of 319 and 320, commenced on 2 August 2012. Now, in reviewing the situation, 'awaiting site of LPA officers' report' seems a reason for delay on at least 18 cases. Some others remain 'under consideration', despite being received in 2019. The backlog of cases with Welsh Ministers is a real point of concern and one that highlights that our clunky and complex planning process is non-functioning here at the highest level, and is reputationally damaging. Welsh Government guidance states that anyone could submit a request for a planning application to be called in for determination. Anyone can write in, but I'm aware of many that feel that the complexity of planning policy enacted by this Government is acting as a deterrent for some to participate. So, what steps, Minister, will you take, with the Minister for Climate Change, to ensure that we do have a more efficient, speedier and accessible call-in system, and one that gives a real chance to residents wishing to engage with our planning process here in Wales? Thank you.

Well, thank you for those comments. I'm sure the Minister for Climate Change is listening at this very moment to the points, and I'm sure, if not, that the details of the points you have made will be drawn to her attention. You will appreciate that it's not possible for me to comment on any individual applications, and applications where it would be totally inappropriate for me in terms of my responsibilities to comment further. But I'm sure you will also be pleased on the proposals that I announced yesterday—that we are looking at a consolidation Bill in respect of planning law to at least make the planning system simpler, clearer and more accessible.