Planning for Wales Infrastructure Conference: A review
As the planning sector in Wales prepares for the first applications under the new consenting regime, a growing pipeline of development opportunities is emerging across the country. The challenge now is how to make the most of these opportunities and ensure they deliver wider value for Wales.
Waterfront Conference Company brought together more than 100 attendees – including developers, government officials, and key stakeholders – for its annual Planning for Infrastructure in Wales conference in Cardiff on 1 October. The event provided a crucial update on policy changes and the projects being development across Wales.
For those not able to attend, senior conference producer, Martina Serafini, has summarised some of the key take-aways.
What’s next for Wales’s National Development Framework?
The revision of Wales’s National Development Framework is now underway, with the consultation launched on 19 August. Siân Gwenllian, Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, opened the event with a video message setting out how the process will progress over the next four years, before the new framework is published in early 2030. The industry has until 20 November to share its views on what the spatial plan will look like and the strategic direction for regional and national development across Wales. A new National Energy Strategy will also be issued later this year, outlining Wales’s energy needs and the infrastructure required to meet them.
The first steps under the new Significant Infrastructure Projects (SIP) regime
Since the SIP regime came into effect in December 2025, five pre-application enquiries have been made, with the first submissions expected this time next year. The DNS (Developments of National Significant) system continues to be used, as PEDW (Planning and Environment Decisions Wales) confirmed that 29 applications are currently being processed at various stages, three of which have reached the recommendation stage. To strengthen capacity, PEDW has brought in a second round of additional inspectors and expanded its casework team. Other key stakeholders, including Natural Resources Wales, have also introduced new ways of working with developers going through the new regime by providing a single point of contact for SIPs.
Investing in Welsh communities and building local value
Infrastructure development offers a unique opportunity to deliver lasting benefits beyond the projects themselves. As Bute Energy highlighted, ensuring the investment in energy parks creates wider value within Wales requires a strong focus on local supply chains. This includes matching skills with community needs, creating opportunities for employment, and building a pipeline of talent for the renewable energy industry. This approach is complemented by direct community investment. Bute Energy’s Community Benefit Fund, worth £7,500 per megawatt of installed capacity is used to help reduce energy bills and generate income for local communities.
Wales’ project pipeline opens up new development opportunities
Innovative projects and sectors are emerging across Wales, creating new opportunities for development. CCR Energy is leading the transformation of Aberthaw Power Station and exploring new uses for the site supporting the decarbonising of Southeast Wales. The company is currently removing existing infrastructure, with demolition planned for the day after the conference. The masterplan includes innovative schemes such as tidal turbine facilities, an agri-tech hub, and the repurposing of pulverised fuel ash. Rolls-Royce SMR also shared an update on its work to develop the UK’s first three small modular reactors at Wylfa. Following the contract signed in April, the project has moved into the design and planning stages.
The Celtic Freeport drives new investment and clean growth
The Celtic Freeport, covering Milford Haven and Port Talbot, is accelerating the low-carbon transition in Wales’ industrial heartland. Its financial incentives, including tax benefits, enhanced allowances and simplified rules, are designed to attract investment while supporting a wider programme of clean growth. This is expected to create 11,500 new green jobs and attract £8.4 billion of new investment across the region. Associated British Ports outlined its plans to position the Freeport as the driving power behind floating offshore wind development in the UK, with the Celtic Sea set to deliver over 16GW of renewable energy. The deep-sea port infrastructure is well placed to support the manufacturing, assembly, and deployment of FLOW assets, creating opportunities across the wider supply chain.
Planning for Infrastructure in Wales will return next year to explore further how the new consenting regime is progressing and key plans for delivering Wales’s infrastructure pipeline. Secure your place to stay up to date with the latest developments and hear directly from those leading major schemes. You can keep up to date on the conferences at https://waterfrontconferencecompany.com/
If you want any support to help with communication and stakeholder engagement surrounding any planning project, please contact the team at Freshwater – hello@freshwater.co.uk