Written question WQ98022

We are committed to meaningful engagement with local communities to ensure they are fully involved in the development process. The new consenting regime for large-scale Significant Infrastructure Projects provides local communities with several opportunities to engage with developers as schemes progress through the consenting process. Upcoming guidance will inform developers on best practice relating to pre-application engagement practices. We have also increased the funding of Planning Aid Wales to provide additional support for communities to help them effectively engage in the process. Our wider package of support, including the increase to planning application fees and increasing the number of planners in the system, will help ensure the effective implementation of our existing engagement mechanisms alongside increasing the efficiency of consenting.