New green infrastructure planning policy guidance in Wales

Following recent changes to Planning Policy Wales and its reference to the Building with Nature Standards, we have published new guidance for developers, planners and placemakers working in Wales.

The guidance provides those involved in the planning, procurement and delivery of new development and green infrastructure in Wales with an introduction to and guidance on using Building with Nature, the UK’s first industry standards and accreditation system for high-quality green infrastructure.

The changes to Planning Policy Wales, announced in October 2023 by the Minister for Climate Change, are in response to Welsh Government’s duty to maintain and enhance biodiversity and the resilience of ecosystems in Wales and address the Nature Emergency though the Planning System.

Included within the updated policy guidance on Integrating Green Infrastructure and Development is new text with a stronger emphasis on taking a proactive approach to green infrastructure. This includes an expectation that all planning applications will include a Green Infrastructure Statement.

The updated policy references the Building with Nature Standards as an example of good practice and an effective tool for developers for ensuring appropriate GI considerations and, whenever possible advocates assessment and accreditation under the Building with Nature Standards. Our new guidance gives an overview of Building with Nature and its benefits within the context of its reference in Welsh Government’s green infrastructure-related planning policy. It highlights how the Building with Nature Standards Framework can be used to help deliver green infrastructure in a way that contributes effectively to sustainable development objectives in Wales.

You can access the Building with Nature Guidance Document here.

https://www.buildingwithnature.org.uk/newsblog1/2023/11/28/delivering-high-quality-green-infrastructure-in-wales-a-briefing-for-developers-planners-and-placemakers

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c45e569c3c16a9eac56d244/t/6565ccf1517d747aa68af45c/1701170419121/Briefing_Paper_BwN_and_Planning_Policy_in_Wales_v1.0.pdf