The Developments of National Significance (Specified Criteria and Prescribed Secondary Consents) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2016

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Developments of National Significance (Specified Criteria and Prescribed Secondary Consents) (Wales) Regulations 2016 (“the Principal Regulations”). The Principal Regulations provide that the construction of an onshore wind generating station (an onshore wind farm) with a generating capacity of between 10 and 50 megawatts is of national significance for the purposes of section 62D of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. They also provide that the extension or alteration of an onshore wind farm is of national significance if the effect of the extension or alteration will increase the generating capacity by at least 10 megawatts but not so that the installed generating capacity exceeds 50 megawatts.

These Regulations amend the criteria for the construction, extension or alteration of an onshore wind farm to be development of national significance.

The amendments made to the Principal Regulations do not take effect until the Onshore Wind Generating Stations (Exemption) (England and Wales) Order 2016 and the Infrastructure Planning (Onshore Wind Generating Stations) Order 2016 have come into force.

The effect of the Onshore Wind Generating Stations (Exemption) (England and Wales) Order 2016 is that onshore wind farms in England and Wales do not require consent from the Secretary of State under section 36(4) of the Electricity Act 1989, subject to saving provisions.

The effect of the Infrastructure Planning (Onshore Wind Generating Stations) Order 2016 is that the construction, alteration or extension of onshore wind farms in England and Wales no longer requires development consent under the Planning Act 2008 (“the 2008 Act”).

Regulation 3 amends regulation 4 of the Principal Regulations. It amends the definition of “generating station” and inserts definitions for “onshore wind generating station” and “the Orders”.

Regulation 3 also inserts a new regulation 4A. The new regulation sets out the criteria for the construction, extension or alteration of an onshore wind farm to be development of national significance.

The effect of the amendments in regulation 3 is that applications for planning permission for (a) the construction of onshore wind farms with a generating capacity of 10 megawatts or above, and (b) the extension or alteration of an onshore wind farm with an expected increased generating capacity of 10 megawatts or above, in Wales must be made to the Welsh Ministers.

Savings provisions are made for consents under the Electricity Act 1989, development consents under the 2008 Act and applications for development consent under the 2008 Act which have been accepted by the Secretary of State.

An impact assessment has been prepared in relation to these Regulations. Copies are available from the Planning Directorate of the Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.