Welsh Government | Minister announces review team to help get planning process ready for economic upturn.

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Minister announces review team to help get planning process ready for economic upturn.

Experts from business, the public and third sectors have been chosen to help review the planning application process to make sure it is ready to support sustainable economic recovery in Wales.

Wednesday 26 August 2009

The independent group, who will steer a research project to look at good practice and the barriers to achieving timely, quality planning decisions, was announced by the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson today (26th August).

Ms Davidson also named the company, following a procurement exercise, that will carry out the six-month research, the Cardiff based planning team of GVA Grimley Ltd.

The planning review group will provide technical advice and guidance for the project.

Ms Davidson said:

"We need to develop the most efficient planning decision procedures possible so that economic recovery is not held up.

“The members of the research steering group have very practical skills in the private, public and third sectors.

“They understand the complexities of the planning system from their different perspectives.

“We need to look for ways to simplify the system while achieving sound, sustainable quality decisions.”

The group is chaired by retired town planning consultant Michael Sant. Mr Sant has held a number of planning posts in local government and was Director of Planning services to the former Land Authority for Wales.

The members are:

Pip David, a member of the Advisory Panel on Standards for the Planning Inspectorate and she is a former Director of Pilkington Tiles with extensive experience in employment issues.
Non Rhys, Wales Policy Manager of the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales and also Chair of Business Wales.
Richard Price, Planning and Policy Advisor for the Home Builders Federation in Wales who has also worked in local government.
Dr Roisin Willmott, National Director of the Royal Town Planning Institute in Wales who has worked in local government and economic and planning consultancy.
David Rosser, Director of the CBI for Wales.
Leighton Jenkins, Assistant Director Policy CBI in Wales. Mr Rosser and Mr Jenkins will share membership and have experience in business and banking.
Elwyn Thomas, Chief Executive, Planning Aid Wales, who has held posts in local government, private consultancy and academia.
Mike Webb is a charted town planner and the senior planning officer for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Wales. He is a member of Wales Environment Link Planning Group and has wide local government experience;