http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asc/2026/6/section/18Planning (Wales) Act 2026enStatute Law Database2026-06-16Expert Participation2026-04-28 PART 2THE DEVELOPMENT PLANCHAPTER 3STRATEGIC AND LOCAL PLANNING: MAIN FUNCTIONS OF AUTHORITIESLocal planning by planning authoritiesSurvey of planning authority’s area 18 1 A planning authority must keep under review the matters that may be expected to affect the development and use, or the planning of the development and use, of land in its area. 2 Those matters include— a the principal physical, economic, social and environmental characteristics of the area (including the extent to which the Welsh language is used in the area); b the principal purposes for which land is used in the area; c the size, composition and distribution of the population of the area; d the communications networks, transport system and traffic of the area; e any other considerations that may be expected to affect the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d); f any other matters specified in regulations or in a direction given to the planning authority by the Welsh Ministers. 3 A planning authority may also keep under review the matters mentioned in subsection (2) in relation to a neighbouring area to the extent that those matters may be expected to affect its own area. 4 In doing so, the planning authority must consult— a if the neighbouring area is in Wales, the planning authority for that area; b if the neighbouring area is in England— i the local planning authority for that area, within the meaning given by Part 2 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5), and ii the minerals and waste planning authority for that area, within the meaning given by that Part. S. 18 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 409(2)