Written question WQ94443
- Asked by
- Mark IsherwoodConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
What steps is the Cabinet Secretary taking to resolve the backlog of planning applications currently held up in the Government’s call-in process?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
I do not accept that there is a backlog of call-in requests on the part of the Welsh Government.
Consideration of requests will include regard for the advice of technical experts and statutory consultees. This is set out in an officer’s report, which local planning authorities must prepare for all planning applications, including those subject to consideration for call-in.
There are 29 call-in requests currently under consideration by the Welsh Ministers. 26 of those cases are currently held in abeyance until the Welsh Government has received the required officer’s report from the respective local planning authorities. The resource and prioritisation for producing such reports is a matter for each authority.
In certain cases, the Welsh Government will also seek its own specialist advice to inform a decision. One case is currently subject to consultation with an expert stakeholder.
The remaining two cases are under active consideration and will be subject to a decision in due course.