To consider the wider role an influence of
the Welsh Language in the planning system.
Minutes:
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.
Supporting documents: