As of 3 June 2024, the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 is now in force, marking a significant milestone in the approach taken in Wales to delivering significant infrastructure projects. The intention is that the Act will provide more consistency and certainty in Wales’s ability to deliver, develop projects which contribute to the net zero ambition and attract further infrastructure investment in Wales for the benefit of the Welsh people. Our two previous blog posts set out the background to the Act and its passage through the Senedd.
The Act creates a new single consenting regime, the Infrastructure Consent, which will in due course replace existing multiple regimes, such as developments of national significance, transport and works act orders, and electricity act orders.
A clear priority of the Act is to ensure full and proper engagement in projects by communities, and stakeholders. This is illustrated by one of the first consultations launched is on what the consultation requirements should be.
The rigorous assessment of environmental impacts remains but under a new set of Environmental Impact Regulations to reflect the new regime.
The Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 has been long awaiting and there is no doubt that it shape the future of infrastructure in Wales for decades to come but now we wait with baited breath for the Regulations which need to be drafted and enacted to make this framework Act work.
The Welsh Government have already launched two consultations on fees and consultation for the new consenting regime which close in July and draft regulations are still expected later this year. We will provide further updates as draft regulations and consultations are published. In the meantime if you want to know more about planning updates in Wales please contact me and sign up to our webinar later this month - Webinar: Welsh Infrastructure Planning Update by Burges Salmon (burges-salmon.com)
6 June 2024
Welsh translation
Mae Bil Seilwaith (Cymru) yn Ddeddf
Ers 3 Mehefin 2024, mae Deddf Seilwaith (Cymru) 2024 bellach mewn grym, gan nodi carreg filltir arwyddocaol yn y modd y mai cyflawni prosiectau seilwaith sylweddol yng Nghymru. Y bwriad yw y bydd y Ddeddf yn rhoi mwy o gysondeb a sicrwydd ynglyn a sut y bydd Cymru yn cyflawni, datblygu prosiectau sy’n cyfrannu at yr uchelgais sero net a denu buddsoddiad seilwaith pellach yng Nghymru er budd pobl Cymru. Mae ein postiau blog blaenorol yn nodi cefndir y Ddeddf a’i thaith drwy’r Senedd.
Mae’r Ddeddf yn creu un drefn gydsynio newydd, y Caniatâd Seilwaith, a fydd yn disodli’r cyfundrefnau presennol, megis datblygiadau o arwyddocâd cenedlaethol, gorchmynion y ddeddf trafnidiaeth a gwaith, a gorchmynion y ddeddf drydan.
Un o flaenoriaethau clir y Ddeddf yw sicrhau ymgysylltiad llawn a phriodol mewn prosiectau gan gymunedau, a rhanddeiliad. Dangosir hyn gan un o'r ymgynghoriadau cyntaf a lansiwyd ar beth ddylai'r gofynion ymgynghori fod.
Bydd asesiad trwyadl o effeithiau amgylcheddol yn parhau ond o dan set newydd o Reoliadau Effaith Amgylcheddol i adlewyrchu'r drefn newydd.
Mae Deddf Seilwaith (Cymru) 2024 wedi bod yn hir ddisgwyliedig ac nid oes amheuaeth ei bod yn siapio dyfodol seilwaith yng Nghymru am ddegawdau i ddod ond yn awr rydym yn aros yn fyrbwyll am y Rheoliadau y mae angen eu drafftio a’u deddfu i wneud y fframwaith hwn i weithio.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi lansio dau ymgynghoriad ar ffioedd ac ymgynghoriad ar y drefn gydsynio newydd sy’n cau ym mis Gorffennaf ac mae disgwyl rheoliadau drafft yn ddiweddarach eleni. Byddwn yn darparu diweddariadau pellach wrth i reoliadau ac ymgynghoriadau drafft gael eu cyhoeddi. Yn y cyfamser os hoffech wybod mwy am ddiweddariadau cynllunio yng Nghymru cysylltwch â ni a chofrestrwch ar gyfer ein gweminar yn ddiweddarach y mis hwn - Webinar: Welsh Infrastructure Planning Update by Burges Salmon (burges-salmon.com).
6 Mehefin 2024