Regulation 3 specifies the types of development which could be of national significance: generating stations; underground gas storage facilities; facilities for liquid natural gas; gas reception facilities; airports; railways; rail freight interchanges; dams and reservoirs; transfer of water resources; waste water treatment plants and hazardous waste facilities.

Regulations 4-14 set out the applicable criteria in relation to each type of development.

These Regulations also prescribe consents for the purposes of the 1990 Act and make consequential amendments. The prescribed consents are “secondary consents” for the purposes of sections 62E to 62G of that Act (regulation 15 and the Schedule).

The effect of being prescribed by these Regulations is that the consent can be considered by the Welsh Ministers alongside an application made to them for planning permission for development of national significance.

An impact assessment has been prepared in relation to these Regulations. Copies are available from the Planning Division of the Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ and on the Welsh Government’s website at www.wales.gov.uk.