Powys Planning response to WAG changes to Validation of planning applications

The Welsh Assembly Government has consulted over changes to what is required in order for local planning authorities to accept planning applications. Fine you may say and Powys County Council alongside other authorities in Wales have already adopted validation protocols that require applicants to submit often very technical information for the very minor of planning applications. But Powys councillors responding to this Government consultation have suggested that flood risk assessments be submitted every time householders want to build even an extension to their property! The way that WAG now consults on new planning initiatives gives every opportunity for local authorities to secretly respond with quite bizarre comments and requests.

I have it from many agents working in Powys that it is almost impossible to submit planning applications and for those to be validated and taken forward for consideration first time. They require the most ridiculous of supporting information under the banner of their published list of validation requirements. This list is self imposed - it doesn't have to meet any national requirement or adoption by WAG. Powys has quite forgotten that it is a rural area with very few technical constraints to development. It is not Cardiff or Swansea or the Valleys where technical constraints to development require very technical submissions.

No, Powys planning department insist on a whole host of technical documents before it accepts a planning application and is now suggesting that a detailed Flood Risk Assessment be submitted for householder applications. This is madness at best! what is Councillor Wynne Jones Board member for Planning doing supporting such a response to this consultation?