Agenda item

To consider the wider role an influence of the Welsh Language in the planning system.

a)         Submitted - the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory responding to Members’ request for background information in relation to planning procedure and the Welsh language. The following matters had been addressed in the report:

i.          Setting the statutory context in terms of the Planning (Wales) Act 2015

ii.          Explaining the National Planning Policy (TAN 20)

iii.         Explaining the Current Local Planning Policy (The Unitary Development Plan and the Supplementary Planning Guidance: Planning and the Welsh Language)

iv.        Explaining how the Service operates within the current policy context

v.         Providing information regarding the Joint Local Development Plan (Draft)

vi.        Explaining how, in the context of the requirements of TAN 20, we will be required to deal with the Welsh language when determining planning applications after the Joint Local Development Plan has been adopted and how the Service seeks to respond to this.

b)         In response to the report, an application was made for clarity regarding the requirements of Planning Policy Wales (TAN 20) and the recommendation that planning applications should not be a topic of impact on the Welsh language, as it was expected that this had been undertaken when preparing the Local Development Plan. The Senior Manager - Planning and Environment responded that the 'language's' situation could be weaker after adopting the Local Development Plan. As a result, a series of new Supplementary Planning Guidance would be prepared as part of the Joint Local Development Plan's preparation process, with the intention of prioritising preparing a Supplementary Planning Guidance which addressed sustainable communities. This guidance would include detail on planning matters and the Welsh language. It was noted that a fateful point had been reached in terms of developing the Joint Local Development Plan, in the context of forming appropriate guidance to consider the Welsh language.

c)         Matters arising from the discussion:

i.          How could we balance 'language' principles and 'responding to housing need' principles?

ii.          How was it possible to influence 'housing need' figures which were released by the Welsh Government?

iii.         More consideration had to be given to the Welsh language within the planning procedure.

iv.        Justice for the Welsh language had to be ensured

v.         Would the Supplementary Planning Guidances be statutory?

vi.        The language element needed to be strengthened to ensure that the Full Council would not refuse the Local Development Plan on the grounds of this element.

vii.        It had to be ensured that Welsh Legislation was robust.

viii.       Should the option of creating a ‘Welsh speaking area’ be considered to maximise the influence?

ix.        Should consideration be given to policies where local people could be kept local?

ch)       In response to the observations, it was explained that language assessments were part of Gwynedd's planning process and was one which went beyond the Welsh Government's requirements, and which lobbied for changes to the Planning Act and pushed TAN boundaries in the context of language assessment requirements. It was explained that the Joint Planning Panel was quarterly discussing contentious matters involving community, cultural and linguistic impacts and that a report would be prepared to set the statutory framework to consider the Welsh language. It was added that officers, when forming plans with applicants, highlighted any concerns that would impact the Welsh language.

In terms of the status of the Supplementary Planning Guidance, their intention would be to strengthen the Planning policy. Once the policy would be adopted, the guidance would be statutory within the planning process.

In response to the ‘strength’ of the Local Development Plan, it was noted that the Council had an influential role over the coming years. It was added that the language was a matter which was being considered throughout the period, together with industrial profiles. In order for the Plan to be approved, it would have to be evidence-based and at present, opinion had been expressed that the Plan was a robust one (including the linguistic and community impacts).

It was added that there was an opportunity here for the Scrutiny Committee to influence national elements and to have input on the Supplementary Planning Guidance.

The officers were thanked for the clarity and for the constructive discussion that had been held on the matter.

RESOLVED

TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE JOINT PLANNING PANEL TO SEEK ASSURANCE THAT THE PROPOSALS IN THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN SUFFICIENTLY ADDRESS THE LANGUAGE'S CHALLENGE AND ADDRESS THE DEMAND FOR THE NUMBER OF HOUSING.

THAT THIS COMMITTEE’S INPUT AND THE LANGUAGE COMMITTEE’S INPUT NEEDED TO BE ENSURED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE AND THE FOCUS PLACED ON THE LANGUAGE IN THAT GUIDANCE.