Update to Chapter 6 of Planning Policy Wales

Chapter 6 of Planning Policy Wales requires that a Green Infrastructure Statement should be submitted with all planning applications. It also advises that all development must deliver a net benefit for biodiversity and ecosystem resilience from the baseline state (proportionate to the scale and nature of the development proposed). Even if the biodiversity value has been maintained, there must still be a proactive process to look for and secure enhancement through the design and implementation of the development.

It is advisable that this is submitted from the outset to streamline the consideration and processing of your application. We would also recommend detailing the existing green infrastructure and proposed measures on site and elevation plans to avoid the need for conditions.

Applications cannot be progressed until the Green Infrastructure Statement has been submitted.

Visit Planning Policy Wales for more information (external website)

Planning Policy Wales Edition 12, 2024

In February 2024 Welsh Government published Planning Policy Wales Edition 12 to address the nature emergency which contains a revised Chapter 6 ‘Distinctive and Natural Placemaking and Well-Being’.

The policy changes came into immediate affect and impacts on all planning applications.

There is a great deal to consider in Chapter 6, however the main policy changes relate to:

  • Green Infrastructure
  • Net Benefit for Biodiversity and the Step Wise Approach
  • Protection for Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  • Trees and Woodlands

View Planning Policy Wales 12 on the Welsh Government website (external website)

One key change is the requirement for all planning applications to be submitted with a ‘Green Infrastructure Statement’ (para 6.2.5). A ‘Green Infrastructure Statement’ is now required with all new applications and should describe how green infrastructure has been incorporated into the proposal.

The Green Infrastructure statement will be an effective way of demonstrating positive multi-functional outcomes which are appropriate to the site in question and must be used for demonstrating how the ‘Step-wise Approach’ (Paragraph 6.4.21) has been applied.

The statement should be proportionate to the scale and nature of the proposed development, for example on householder and minor developments this would normally be a short description.