This Order is the first commencement order made by the Welsh Ministers under the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (“the Act”).

Article 2 of this Order brings section 4 of the Act into force on 5 October 2015 in so far as that section is not already in force. Under section 58(2)(b) of the Act Part 3 of the Act came into force on 6 September 2015 (2 months from the date of Royal Assent, which was 6 July 2015) so far as is necessary for enabling the Welsh Ministers to make regulations under the Act.

Section 4 relates to the process for designating strategic planning areas and establishing strategic planning panels. Section 4(1) of the Act inserts sections 60D to 60G into Part 6 (Wales) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (“the 2004 Act”).

Section 60D of the 2004 Act makes provision for the Welsh Ministers to make regulations to designate a strategic planning area and establish a strategic planning panel for that area.

Section 60E of the 2004 Act sets out the process by which the Welsh Ministers may issue a direction to one or more local planning authorities to submit a proposal to the Welsh Ministers for an area to be designated as a strategic planning area.

Section 60F of the 2004 Act imposes a duty to consult on Welsh Ministers.

Section 60G of the 2004 Act requires local planning authorities to provide the Welsh Ministers with information if requested.

Section 4(2) of the Act introduces Schedule 1 to the Act. Part 1 of Schedule 1 inserts Schedule 2A into the 2004 Act and provides for the constitutional, financial and administrative arrangements of panels.

Paragraph 28 of Schedule 1 permits amendments to the Schedule to be made by regulations.

See section 58 (coming into force) of the Act for provisions which come into force after the passing of the Act.