WAG Environment, Sustainability and Housing Minister Jane Davidson announces yet another consultation process.
This time to expand the planning guidelines for rural development.

http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/presreleasearchive/070708ruralhousingaa/?lang=en

I should, perhaps, have expanded on the relevant part, at least from my point of view, regarding Low Impact Development.

This appears to take the initiative from the Pembrokeshire Low Impact policy from a year or so ago and make it into one for the whole of Wales.

But there is much limitation in the detail of what is being proposed. Here is a copy:

PART 3 LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID)

3.1 Low Impact Development has been defined as development that through its low negative impact, either enhances or does not significantly diminish environmental quality. Permaculture is also a term used to describe schemes that develop single holdings or co-operative communities that are self sufficient in food growing, energy generation and waste disposal. Work and living arrangements are integrated with a minimal impact on the environment. The aim is to improve the environmental quality of the site in question. It is an integral part of schemes that dwellings are provided on the site. These can range from temporary canvas dwellings to more substantial timber framed houses. In principle any structures should be capable of being removed from the site to leave it in an equivalent or better condition than before the development. There are a number of LID schemes in the UK with temporary planning permissions.

3.2 Currently there is no national planning policy that specifically outlines any exceptions for LID projects to be developed in the countryside although all development should be sustainable with minimal environmental impact. LID planning applications that have come forward have tended to be assessed against the essential dwellings planning policy.

Proposed policy

3.3 To introduce the LID concept and an enabling policy into national planning policy. Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) depending on local circumstances, could develop criteria based policies as part of the Local Development Plan (LDP) against which LID applications would be assessed. Where appropriate, specific sites for LID communities should be brought forward and assessed as part of the LDP candidate site process. National Guidance would be developed and consulted upon in the revision of Technical Advice Note 6 “Agricultural and Rural Development”.

And another one..

Wales pioneers green housing plan
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115316681550.html

As far as I can see this is the same plan as previously announced, not a new one. Just another step in the painfully drawn out 'consultation' process. Here is the meat:

2.12.4 To move towards more sustainable and zero carbon buildings in Wales, the Assembly Government expects that the following standards will be met:-
• Applications for 5 or more dwellings received on or after 1 September 2009 to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and obtain 6 credits under issue Ene1 - Dwelling Emission Rate.
• Applications for 1 or more dwellings received on or after 1 September 2010 to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and obtain 6 credits under issue Ene1 - Dwelling Emission Rate.
• Applications received on or after 1st September 2009 for non-residential development which will either have a floorspace of 1,000 sqm or more, or will be carried out on a site having an area of one hectare or more, to meet the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘Very Good’ standard and achieve the mandatory credits for ‘Excellent’ under issue Ene1 - Reduction of CO2 Emissions.

Consultation period on the draft TAN22 ends on 31st July.

See: http://wales.gov.uk/consultation/desh/2009/tan22/item?lang=en