Planning (Wales) Bill

Planning (Wales) Bill

 

 

A Welsh Government Bill, introduced by Julie James MS, Counsel General and Minister for Delivery. It was introduced as a Consolidation Bill, in tandem with the Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Bill; see this page for further information.

 

The Business Committee remitted the Bill to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee.

 

About the Bill

The purpose of the Bill is to bring together the principal legislation relating to town and country planning in Wales into a coherent and accessible form. Its purpose is to modernise the structure and language of planning law, making it clearer and more consistent, while preserving its legal effect. The Bill does not seek to reform the planning system but is intended to improve legal clarity and usability.

 

Further detail about the Bill (PDF 2.9MB) can be found in its accompanying Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 818KB). Annexes to the Explanatory Memorandum, as revised following Detailed Committee Consideration, are available in the relevant section below.

 

Current stage

The Bill was passed by the Senedd on 10 March 2026. There is now a four-week period before it will move on to Royal Assent.

 

A guide to Consolidation Bills is available in the Guidance to support the operation of Standing Order 26C on Consolidation Bills.

 

Record of Passage in the Welsh Parliament

The following table sets out the dates for each stage of the Bill’s passage through the Senedd.

¬¬¬Post Final Stage (Current)

There is now a four-week period during which:

  • the Counsel General or Attorney General can refer the question of whether the Bill, or any provision of the Bill, is within the Senedd's legislative competence to the Supreme Court for a decision; and
  • the Secretary of State for Wales may make an order prohibiting the Bill from being sent for Royal Assent.

 

If no such challenge is made to the Bill, it will move on to Royal Assent.

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¬¬¬Final Stage (10 March 2026)

The Senedd passed the Bill on 10 March 2026.

 

Planning (Wales) Bill, as passed (PDF 2MB)

 

Presiding Officer’s statement in accordance with Section 111A(3) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 - Bills with protected subject-matter: super-majority requirement: Planning (Wales) Bill and Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Bill – 6 March 2026

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¬¬¬Detailed Committee Consideration (17 December 2025 – 30 January 2026)

Detailed Committee Consideration began on 17 December 2025 and was completed on 30 January 2026.

 

Proceedings

Notice of Amendments – 7 January 2026 (PDF 68KB)

Welsh Government: Purpose and intended effect of amendments – 8 January 2026 (PDF 62KB)

Marshalled List of Amendments – 19 January 2026 (PDF 86KB)

Grouping of Amendments – 19 January 2026 (PDF 68KB)

 

Proceedings in the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee took place on 19 January 2026.

 

Bill, as amended

Planning (Wales) Bill, as amended at Detailed Committee Consideration (version 2) (PDF 3MB)

Printing changes made following Detailed Committee Consideration proceedings (PDF 218KB)

 

Explanatory Memorandum, revised following Detailed Committee Consideration (PDF 818KB)

 

Committee report

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report (PDF 181 KB) on 30 January 2026.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 26C.36, a majority of the Committee recommended that the Planning (Wales) Bill and the Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Bill should proceed to Final Stage.

 

On 11 February 2026 the Senedd considered a motion to propose that it considers amendments to the Bills at Detailed Senedd Consideration. The motion was not agreed.

 

The Counsel General and Minister for Delivery issued correspondence in relation to this motion on 27 January 2026 and 3 February 2026.

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¬¬¬Initial Consideration (15 September 2025 – 16 December 2025)

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee held the following evidence sessions in relation to both Bills:

 

Date and Agenda

Purpose of meeting

Transcript

Senedd.TV

15 September 2025

Committee confirmation of approach to scrutiny

Private

Private

22 September 2025

Committee consideration of draft correspondence

Private

Private

29 September 2025

Oral evidence session: Law Commission for England and Wales

Transcript

Senedd.TV

6 October 2025

Oral evidence sessions: Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Cymru and Planning and Environment Bar Association

Transcript

Senedd.TV

13 October 2025

Oral evidence session: Planning Officers Society Wales

Transcript

Senedd.TV

3 November 2025

Oral evidence session: Counsel General and Minister for Delivery

Transcript

Senedd.TV

 

The Committee held a public consultation between 16 September 2025 and 8 October 2025.

 

The Committee laid its report on 28 November 2025 (PDF 4.3MB). The Welsh Government responded (PDF 225KB) to the report on 10 December 2025.

 

Correspondence

  • Letter from the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, 28 October 2025 (PDF 368KB)
  • Letter from the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery, 21 October 2025 (PDF 88KB)
  • Letter from the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, 10 October 2025 (PDF 381KB)
  • Letter from the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery, 23 September 2025 (PDF 119KB)

 

Plenary debate

Following a debate on 16 December 2025 the Senedd agreed that the Bill should proceed as a Consolidation Bill.

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¬¬¬Bill introduced (September 2025)

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Contact information:

Clerk: Gerallt Roberts

Phone: 0300 200 6565

 

Postal address:

Welsh Parliament

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff   

CF99 1SN

 

E-mail: SeneddLJC@senedd.wales

Business type: Bill

Reason considered: Senedd Business;

Status: Stage 1

First published: 15/09/2025

Documents

 

Topics

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