Janet Finch-Saunders AM and Shadow Minister for Environment, Russell George AM, have criticised an ‘unacceptable’ delay in planning legislation.

Speaking during a government debate on an independent advisory group report and two government papers on planning, Shadow Minister for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:

"The system urgently needs greater simplicity and clarity. Delaying the Bill and the improvements it could bring extremely ill-advised.

"I would like to see the process streamlined and the role of town and community councils enhanced as a matter of priority."

Mr George reaffirmed his view that there is a lack of understanding in the planning system because of its complexity, and said:

"Control over planning is one of the most important levers that we have, yet the introduction of a Bill to deal with wide-ranging problems has been delayed. That’s both incredibly frustrating and completely unacceptable.

"It’s no surprise that this report points to a lack of public understanding and disengagement. The current system is complex, confusing and simply inaccessible.

"Public awareness has got to be boosted and attitudes changed as soon as possible.

"We cannot underestimate the importance of planning for sustainable economic renewal and delaying this bill could be a very costly mistake indeed."