Russell George, the Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, has responded with disappointment after the passing of the Welsh Government’s Planning Bill.
The overall aim of the Bill was to create a more consistent planning system that enables development and enhances built and natural environments.
However, Mr George has claimed that instead of a radical and ambitious piece of legislation which would devolve more power to local communities and put decisions in the hands of local people, the changes to the planning system regrettably fail to properly devolve power down to the communities of Wales.
Mr George, who is also the Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, led on this piece of legislation on behalf of the Welsh Conservatives.
He said:
“The people of Mid Wales already feel distant from the political bubble in Cardiff Bay where decisions are imposed upon them, often without consideration of local circumstances.
“The Welsh Government has failed to seize the opportunity to create a planning system which would not only be a catalyst to improve the Welsh economy but would also bring flexibility into the planning system, and enable it to be more responsive to local need.
“To succeed, this Bill had to streamline and simplify the planning process, and ensure that the planning system became more democratic, empowering local people to make the big decisions that will impact upon their lives. Unfortunately, for the people of Wales, the complete opposite has occurred as the Bill centralises too much power in the hands of Welsh Government Ministers.
“Proper devolution isn’t about Ministers hoarding powers for themselves, but empowering people in communities across the country so they have more control over their lives and their community assets.
“The legislation is unnecessarily complex and has eroded local democratic accountability. Ultimately, the Welsh Conservatives could not support this.”