Planning Aid Wales
Encyclopedia
Planning Aid Wales is a registered charity that provides independent, impartial, professional information, advice and support to individuals and groups on the town and country planning
system and procedures in Wales
. It was originally established in 1978 as part of the UK-wide Planning Aid
system by the Royal Town Planning Institute
, and is now partly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government
.
can participate effectively. It is guided by the following values:
It has prepared a series of factsheets for community and town councillors as well as a book, A public guide to the land use planning system in Wales (2006). It also operates an email and telephone helpline service for eligible members of the public and community groups, and organises workshops, seminars and training for groups wishing to become more involved in the planning process.
In 2004, the Welsh Assembly Government granted the organisation £100,000 to expand its services. Carwyn Jones
, then Welsh Assembly Government, Planning and Countryside Minister, said: "Involving individuals in the planning process in Wales is central to the Welsh Assembly Government's drive to make the planning system quicker, fairer and more transparent...Planning Aid Wales is playing a really important role in this drive to increase involvement, providing support and advice to members of the public and community groups dealing with planning issues..."
Town and country planning in Wales
Town and country planning in Wales is based on the land use planning system which applies throughout the United Kingdom. However, the system in Wales has some distinctive features which have arisen because substantial responsibility for town and country planning has been devolved to the Welsh...
system and procedures in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It was originally established in 1978 as part of the UK-wide Planning Aid
Planning Aid
Planning Aid provides free urban and environmental planning advice to individuals and community groups who cannot afford to pay a professional consultant, via a number of charitable organisations throughout the UK. A similar scheme, Community Technical Aid, operates in part of Ireland.-In the...
system by the Royal Town Planning Institute
Royal Town Planning Institute
The Royal Town Planning Institute is a body representing planning professionals in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1914.-Members:...
, and is now partly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government
Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislature which represents the interests of the people of Wales and makes laws for Wales...
.
Objectives and activities
The organisation states that it is working to create a fairer and more transparent planning system in which the people of WalesWelsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
can participate effectively. It is guided by the following values:
- Charitable: "We are a charitable, not-for-profit organisation."
- Volunteering: "We use our network of professional, fully qualified planning volunteers to provide advice and support."
- Free of charge: "We offer our information, advice and support services free of charge to eligible groups and individuals."
- Independent: "The information and advice we provide is impartial."
- Improving understanding: "We work with people to develop the knowledge and skills they need to engage more effectively with the planning system."
It has prepared a series of factsheets for community and town councillors as well as a book, A public guide to the land use planning system in Wales (2006). It also operates an email and telephone helpline service for eligible members of the public and community groups, and organises workshops, seminars and training for groups wishing to become more involved in the planning process.
Organisation and funding
Planning Aid Wales is governed by a management board made up of fifteen trustee Directors, currently chaired by Tony Humphreys. The Chief Executive is Elwyn Thomas.In 2004, the Welsh Assembly Government granted the organisation £100,000 to expand its services. Carwyn Jones
Carwyn Jones
Carwyn Howell Jones is a Welsh politician and the First Minister of Wales. The third official to lead the Welsh Government, Jones has been Assembly Member for Bridgend since 1999. In the coalition government of Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru, he was appointed Counsel General for Wales and Leader of...
, then Welsh Assembly Government, Planning and Countryside Minister, said: "Involving individuals in the planning process in Wales is central to the Welsh Assembly Government's drive to make the planning system quicker, fairer and more transparent...Planning Aid Wales is playing a really important role in this drive to increase involvement, providing support and advice to members of the public and community groups dealing with planning issues..."