This page is a short summary of the key planning policy documents in Wales.
Last updated: 2 July 2025
Planning policy is the main consideration in the determination of all planning applications. The local planning authority (LPA) has to take into account policies that have been created at both national and local levels when deciding whether to approve or refuse planning permission. Here are the key national and local planning policy documents:
Future Wales is the national development framework produced by the Welsh Government and sets the strategic direction for development in Wales to 2040. Local development plans (LDPs) are required to be in conformity with Future Wales and it is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
Planning Policy Wales (PPW) is the national planning policy document produced by the Welsh Government. The current version is PPW12. It sets out the land use planning policies and is supplemented by a series of technical advice notes (TANs), minerals technical advice notes (MTANs), Welsh Government Circulars, and policy clarification letters, which together provide the national planning policy framework for Wales.
PPW is also a material consideration in the determination of all planning applications, which means its policies must be taken into account when planning decisions are made.
PPW aims to...’ensure that the planning system contributes towards the delivery of sustainable development and improves the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales...’
Chapter 6 of PPW ‘Distinctive and Natural Places’ covers the environmental and cultural aspects of placemaking.
Take a look at section 6.4 (pages 143-160) to find out about the Welsh Government’s guiding principles in relation to biodiversity and ecological networks, including designated sites.
LPAs must produce an up-to-date local development plan (LDP) setting out planning policies for its area. LDPs include policies that allocate areas of land for certain types of development, together with development management policies that planning applications are assessed against. LDPs do not need to repeat national guidance but they can apply it in a local context.
Preparation and adoption of an LDP involves a lengthy process that can take several years. LDPs can vary quite significantly from one area to another but PPW requires each one to contain up-to-date strategic planning policies that are in accordance with Future Wales and PPW.
An LDP is part of what is known as ‘the statutory development plan’ which is at the heart of the planning system. It’s a legal requirement for planning decisions to be made in accordance with this statutory development plan.
See our guide to local development plans to find out more about this process (link below).
Supplementary planning guidance (SPG) provide more detail and context on certain aspects of policies in an adopted LDP. They can be a useful tool for developers and local communities as they can explain how policies can be taken forward and provide practical examples. For example, many LPAs have adopted SPG on biodiversity to provide further guidance to developers on how to make their planning applications more nature-friendly (eg by installing Swift bricks in new housing or managing open space for nature).
SPG does not form part of the statutory development plan and cannot introduce new planning policies, rather they amplify how polices should be implemented. However, they are an important consideration in determining planning applications.
