Wales needs a more liberalised town and country planning regime if economic growth is to become a reality, says Welsh Office Minister David Jones.
Speaking as part of a panel discussion on regional growth at the Conservative Spring Forum in Cardiff, David Jones said:
“The Welsh planning system is becoming increasingly bureaucratic and will continue to lose ground against the English system when the provisions of the Localism Bill are enacted.
“Many firms who set up businesses in Wales at the height of inward investment some 25 years ago are approaching the stage where they will be considering renewing or replacing their existing business premises.
“If the Welsh planning system continues to be more burdensome than the regime in England, it will act as a disincentive to economic growth.
“Labour and Plaid Cymru have shown themselves to be wedded to more regulation, while the Welsh Conservatives favour a simplified planning system.
“This makes it all the more necessary for Wales to elect an assembly administration that understands business and is determined to do all it can to increase economic growth.”
