Presentation notes from Elwyn Thomas of Planning Aid Wales following his presentation at the Planning Inspectorate Wales conference on 30 September 2015

1. 1
Developments of National Significance - A community perspective
Elwyn Thomas, Planning Aid Wales
30th
September 2015
 Fact: DNS will have significant impacts on host communities.
 Some quotes from earlier speakers:
‘An open, fair and impartial process, with proper consultation and
engagement.’ (Steve Quartermain, PINs)
‘The whole shape of planning is changing.’ (Mark Newey, WG)
‘We should aim to manage the politics in planning.’ (Carl Sargeant,
WG Minister)
 Previous speaker (Elizabeth Dunn) looked at DNS from a process / developer
perspective – this presentation looks from a wider, cultural / community
perspective.
 With reference to five ‘C’s (culture, context, capacity, connection, continuity).
1. Culture
 Positive Planning agenda = recognition of need for culture change in all
sectors. Strong connection between culture change in planning and broader
sustainable development agenda / Future Generations Act.
 Culture change requires empathy with different perspectives, and new ways
of working.
 Communities recognise the need for planning, and that different types of
planning decisions should be made at different levels.
 Introduction of DNS is an opportunity to clarify with communities how planning
for big schemes works at the local level.
2. Context
 Communities need context (analogy: you need a map to navigate new
terrain) - good context is the map.

2. 2
 Planning practitioners and developers sometimes forget to provide a usable
map.
 So, how best to convey context ? One example is the triangle diagram below
– simple, illustrative and contextualised.
 Context for DNS is the process, from national policy statement through to
decision on specific scheme.
 Providing DNS context is an opportunity to develop public understanding of
planning process, and the roles and relationships of different actors
(community, government, developer, etc).
 Preparation of context (map) requires thought and empathy – not business as
usual.
3. Capacity
 Local communities’ capacity to engage with DNS is limited (David and
Goliath).
 Positive Planning suggests help and support should be made available to
level the playing field.
 Resources could come from both public and private sectors.
4. Connection
 Need for better, more explicit connection / communication between main DNS
players (LPAs, developers, PINs and local communities).
 Develop good practice (in providing context, developing capacity, making
connnections) and disemminate to ensure continual improvement.
 Consider drawing on external impartial facilitators to build bridges and cement
new links.
5. Continuity
 Keep DNS process and practice under review – what works ?
 Use DNS engagement processes to build capacity and public understanding.
 Culture change is incremental and needs sustained effort.

3. 3
A community perspective
Development
 Developers, landowners
 Planning consultants,
architects, agents
 Business interests
Government
 Welsh Government
 Local Planning Authorities
 Planning Inspectorate
Local community
 Community councils, local groups, civic societies
 Local authority councillors
 Individuals, neighbours, third parties, residents
 Interest groups - environment, access, business, language,
amenity, agriculture, ethnic, etc, etc
Planning
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