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Planning Policy Commission

Volume 461: debated on Monday 18 June 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what arrangements are in place for taking account of the views of Ministers in the devolved administrations in decisions on the Planning Policy Commission, where those decisions potentially have an impact on Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. (142445)

Chapter 10 of “Planning for a Sustainable Future” (cm 7120) explains that decisions on major energy infrastructure projects in Wales presently made by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry would be transferred to the independent planning commission. Decisions on all other major infrastructure projects would continue to be made within Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The commission would consult Welsh Ministers during its consideration of any energy scheme within Wales, including at the decision stage.

The Government will also work with Scotland and Wales to put in place effective arrangements for any cross border projects which need to be jointly determined by the commission and Scottish or Welsh Ministers.