Study into the Operation of Planning Committees in Wales

In June 2012 the Independent Advisory Group recommended that the Welsh Government commission an independent study of planning committees.

Fortismere Associates, with Arup, was commissioned by RTPI Cymru to explore, in particular, whether there was a correlation between committee size and efficiency and effectiveness.

For the study, we carried out a survey of all Welsh committees; interviews with key stakeholders; a literature review; visits to seven case study local authorities; and a discussion seminar.

The final report – Study into the Operation of Planning Committees – was published in July 2013. It included 10 recommendations to the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development for improving the performance of planning committees in Wales. Some of these recommendations have been taken forward in the Planning (Wales) Bill introduced in October 2014.