Wales round-up: New-look regional and sub-regional planning service for Wales laid out; New chapter for Welsh devolution

New-look regional and sub-regional planning service for Wales laid out

The Welsh Government has laid out more details of its proposals for mandatory regional and sub-regional working to deliver council planning services.

The Planner

Draft national policy statement for Heathrow expansion published

The government has published a draft Airports National Policy Statement for the expansion of Heathrow Airport, which has gone out to consultation across the UK.

The Planner

RTPI: Health guidance should stress need to reduce air pollution

Measures to reduce air pollution should be encouraged over those that avoid it, says the RTPI.

The Planner

New chapter for Welsh devolution

The Wales Bill has received the Royal Assent. The legislation devolves powers to the National Assembly and Welsh Government in areas including consenting for new energy projects, fracking, sewerage and water supply policy and the compulsory purchase regime.

UK Government

20-home development set for approval despite objections

Plans to build more than 100 homes at Bonvilston in the Vale of Glamorgan are set to be given the green light, despite a number of objections.

Insider Media

Extra protection for Wales’s sea birds and porpoises backed

Three new Special Areas of Conservation have been approved by the Welsh Government and will be considered by the European Commission.

BBC News

Criticism over development of Cardiff’s Coal Exchange

A row between campaigners and the developers of Cardiff Coal Exchange hotel has intensified, with campaigners claiming that little structural work has taken place.

Wales Online

‘Ambitious’ Swansea city deal could be ‘catalyst’ for area

Approval for the Swansea Bay City Region deal would be a “catalyst” and show the area's “ambition”, according to a report from Swansea University.

BBC News

Newport project receives funding

The latest projects that will receive money from the Heritage Lottery Fund include a £1.2 million scheme to restore the Grade II listed Market Arcade in Newport, the town’s oldest surviving shopping arcade.     

Heritage Lottery Fund

Wrexham town centre regeneration action call

Plans for a single strategy to regenerate Wrexham town centre have been drawn up.

BBC News

New town houses to be built in Swansea

New town houses are to be built on the last remaining available residential sites in the flagship SA1 Swansea Waterfront development.

Wales Online

EU on track to meet renewable energy targets – but UK lags behind 

The European Union is on track to meet its renewable energy targets but the UK is one of only three member states to become more dependent on imported energy in the past decade.

The Guardian

Progress for Swansea city centre regeneration plans 

Rivington Land, the company Swansea Council has appointed to regenerate the St David's development site, has published a draft masterplan which includes proposals for new shops, restaurants, a boutique cinema and a hotel.

City and County of Swansea

One more council to vote to approve Cardiff Capital Region deal

Nine out of the 10 councils involved have now approved plans for a Cardiff City Regional Deal that could create 25,000 jobs across south-east Wales. Vale of Glamorgan Council is set to decide next week.

Wales Online