Four months on since Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, and Shadow Minister for Climate Change wrote to the Minister for Climate Change to call for urgent action so that live appeals and casework can continue to be actioned, the Shadow Minister is calling on the Minister to apologise for the continued shambles of Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).
PEDW is now responsible for handling all casework previously handled by PINS Wales, meaning that all appeals or casework for consents previously determined by PINS Wales is now directed towards the new body. The new service commenced on 1 October 2021.
This week businesses have spoken out about PEDW holding up investment in Wales.
Commenting on the planning crisis in Wales, Janet said:
“The Welsh Government handling of the transition to PEDW is symbolic of bad management that is costing economic growth and business investment in Wales.
“Last October I highlighted the fact that the Welsh Government were overseeing a serious crisis as officials were without full access to the new casework system and documents, and as such, were unable to provide essential information on live appeals.
“In fact, an open letter by the Chief Planner at the Planning Directorate, warned of the potential situation on 15 July 2020. So, despite having over a year to properly plan, it is a disgrace that five months into the operation of PEDW, serious issues are being encountered.
“With an entrenched housing crisis across Wales, this farcical situation is completely unacceptable and unprofessional. The Minister must now apologise and arrange for extra resources to be given to empower PEDW to address the backlog and ensure the proper function of the planning system”.
ENDS
Planning appeal delays are holding up business investment in Wales
