The Minister confirmed that all 25 local planning authorities in Wales ( 22 local authorities and 3 National Parks)  would each receive a grant allocation of £70,000 in 2010-11 to continue to support improvements to local planning service delivery .

Funding is also being provided to the Planning Portal to support delivery of on-line planning services in Wales,  and for post-graduate student bursaries at Cardiff University’s City and Regional Planning Department.

Speaking about the announcement, the Minister said:

“These grants will ensure that planning authorities can continue to fund improvements to the delivery of local planning services,  in line with the Assembly Government’s commitment to an efficient, open, transparent and inclusive planning process.

“Local Planning Authorities have a key role to play in tackling climate change, in shaping communities, and in supporting sustainable economic development.

“We need to ensure that the planning service in Wales is well-placed and ready to support economic recovery.  We have commissioned a study of the planning application process, drawing on evidence from a wide range of planning stakeholders across Wales, in order to identify evidence of good practice as well as areas where improvements could be made.

 “The Assembly Government will  respond to the recommendations of the study  later this year and we will be looking to local planning authorities  to help us bring about improvements”.

 

http://wales.gov.uk/news/latest/100409planning/?lang=en