Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament
Y Pwyllgor Deddfwriaeth Cyfiawnder a’r Cyfansoddiad | Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Gwaith craffu ar Filiau Cydgrynhoi Llywodraeth Cymru ym maes cynllunio | Scrutiny of the Welsh Government's planning Consolidation Bills
Ymateb gan: Network Rail | Evidence from: Network Rail
Network Rail welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Planning (Wales) Bill, which seeks to consolidate legislation relating to town and country planning in Wales. As a statutory undertaker responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of the national rail infrastructure, Network Rail has a vested interest in ensuring that planning legislation supports infrastructure protection, operational safety, and future development.
Having reviewed the Planning (Wales) Bill and its accompanying Explanatory Memorandum, Network Rail confirms that the Wales Consolidation Bill does not affect our existing permitted development rights.
The Bill explicitly excludes the Planning Act 2008 and the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 from its scope. These Acts establish separate consenting regimes for infrastructure and development consents, which are not considered planning permission and override the need for consent from local planning authorities.
Furthermore, the Bill does not consolidate legislation that authorises the construction and operation of infrastructure under other statutory regimes, such as those relating to transport and energy. These matters are deemed outside the scope of general planning law and remain governed by their respective Acts.
Network Rail’s general statutory powers, including those exercised under the Transport and Works Act and the General Permitted Development Order, remain fully intact and unaffected by the consolidation. We will continue to operate under the existing statutory frameworks that support the safe and efficient delivery of rail infrastructure across Wales.