National park planning service on notice

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has been warned that the Welsh Assembly Government may intervene if the planning authority fails to improve its planning control service, currently under heavy criticism over delays in decision-taking.

Jane Davidson AM, the minister for environment, sustainability and housing, has stressed that the Assembly Government has no immediate plans to use its powers. She emphasised that the authority should have an opportunity to put "its own house in order".

The minister has acknowledged that there have been calls for the National Park's planning powers to be transferred to the constituent county councils in the park area in Mid Wales. However, the Assembly Government recognised that such a move would take time and that it was important that there was a "coordinated and integrated approach" to planning in the park.

The threat of Assembly Government action was highlighted in a joint statement from the government and the park authority which acknowledged the need for "sustained improvements" in the authority's planning service.

A recent independent report into the way the authority handled a caravan park planning application revealed serious and endemic shortcomings in the park's planning development services.

The authority has subsequently taken action to improve the position and is recruiting extra staff and has agreed to the appointment of an independent planning professional, Martin Hooker, to provide advice.

The authority has also agreed to regular meetings with Assembly Government officials and progress reports on how the planning service is shaping up. There will be review in the autumn of progress in this area.

The park authority has welcomed this review which will also cover the development control services of the Pembrokeshire Coast and Snowdonia National Park Authorities to help "identify and share good practice".

MS Davidson said: "I have made it clear to the authority's members that the Welsh Assembly Government expects them to take swift and appropriate action to deliver a fully effective planning control service."

Mary Taylor, chair of the National Park Authority said: "We are acutely aware of the concerns about planning decision-making expressed by local businesses and others on this matter and we are working to secure an improved service that is fully fit for purpose."

Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed that officers had met officials from the national park and were now examining documents involved in the independent review of the caravan site application.

Read the Welsh Assembly Government press release

Roger Milne

27 March 2008