RTPI Cymru Annual Review

Consultations

We responded to the following consultations:

• UK Gov: Approach to siting new nuclear power stations beyond 2025 (January 2024)
• Welsh Government consultation: Just transition framework (March 2024)
• Welsh Government consultation: Sustainable farming scheme (March 2024)
• Welsh Government consultation: Environmental principles, governance and biodiversity targets White Paper consultation (April 2024)
• Welsh Government consultation: Strategic Resource Areas for marine planning (June 2024)
• Senedd consultation: Halting and reversing the loss of nature by 2030 (August 2024)
• Welsh Government consultation: Infrastructure (Wales) Bill: Fees for functions and services (August 2024)
• Welsh Government consultation: Infrastructure (Wales) Bill: Requirements for pre-application consultation (August 2024)
• Senedd consultation: Social housing supply inquiry (June 2024)
• Senedd consultation: Draft Budget 2025-6 (November 2024)
• Welsh Government consultation: Sustainable investment framework (December 2024)
• Welsh Government consultation: Implementing the Infrastructure (Wales) Act (December 2024)

In addition to the above consultations RTPI Cymru was also consulted on the following matters:

RTPI Cymru: NICW flooding report

The National Infrastructure Commission for Wales commissioned four workstreams relating to managing flood impacts in Wales.  RTPI Cymru responded to two consultations in relation to these workstreams.  One relating to coastal and catchment partnership working and one relating to land use and flooding. 

RTPI Cymru: Law Commission drafting of the Bill

The Law Commission contacted RTPI Cymru for a view on two minor changes that could be incorporated in the Consolidation Bill before it is finalised (Section 217 and Section 306).  We raised no concerns to the incorporation of these changes.

RTPI Cymru research: Scoping the potential for digital planning to ease resource pressures and improve planning outcomes

RTPI Cymru has commissioned Dr Ruth Potts and Dr Brian Webb (Cardiff University) to deliver a research project that will explore the current capacity of LPAs to engage in digital planning in Wales.  The research will provide a baseline and form the foundation for further work in this area, with the broader aim of easing resource pressures in planning and improving planning outcomes.

RTPI research: Planning for Energy Security and Net Zero: Integrating energy and spatial planning at the local level

RTPI Cymru has contributed to the RTPI research on Planning for Energy Security and Net Zero.  The aim of this research is to offer practical advice on how local-level energy plans should take local spatial considerations like housing, transport, employment, habitats, and heritage into account.

RTPI research: Generative AI and public sector planning

RTPI Cymru has contributed to the RTPI research on AI and planning.

Planning resources in Wales: Evidence report (RTPI Cymru research paper)

RTPI Cymru are currently bidding for a research project, commissioned by the Welsh Government.  The research will scope the current capacity and resources within the public sector planning service in Wales to provide an-up-to-date evidence base to identify current funding, resource gaps and challenges, to consider future workforce planning requirements, and where possible to suggest potential solutions.

Events

A Planning Law webinar was held on St David’s Day (1^st March), supported by FTB.

At this year’s Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, RTPI Cymru had a presence on the first weekend of the Eisteddfod, supported by Planning Aid Wales, Savills and volunteers, sharing space with Cardiff Capital Region. Informal engagement sessions with the general public were held on raising awareness on the role of placemaking.

Throughout May and June 2024, a series of lunchtime webinars took place regarding the high levels of phosphorus in rivers in Wales. These webinars had various speakers who addressed the cause, affect, solution and future.

RTPI Cymru held our Summer Party in Morgan Arcade on 19 June 2024. It was an opportunity for members to network in a unique and informal setting and to announce winners of the RTPI Cymru Awards for Planning Excellence 2024.

The Wales Planning Conference was held on 20 June 2024 in Cardiff, sponsored by FTB and Savills, with a post conference networking event sponsored by WSP.

This year’s Wales Planning Conference looked at how planning can contribute to a resilient and sustainable future through decarbonisation.

The North Wales conference was moved to Autumn. Themed as Planning for Sustainable Communities, the conference explored the themes of the role of planning in supporting the Welsh language, rural affordable homes, the new Article 4 directions on second homes in Gwynedd and Yr Eryri planning authorities, community
engagement in shaping places and Welsh language matters at appeal.

The second annual Professor Tony Hall lecture was held in November .  We heard from two speakers presenting on the theme of AI and Digital Planning- Dr Ruth Potts MRTPI of Cardiff University and Nikki Webber, Digital Planning Team Lead at City of London Corporation. The event was live streamed.

The Wales Enforcement Conference was held in November, supported by POSW (Planning Officers Society Wales). The conference saw contributions from FTB, Welsh Water, an introduction to the RTPI National Association of Planning Enforcement (NAPE) network and some case studies from Local Planning Authorities. Delegates took part in a practical workshop organised by PEDW on enforcement notices in the afternoon.

A Building with Nature webinar was organised in November.

Young Planners Cymru

Young Planners Cymru have been very active during 2024.

The first social event was a St David's Day catch up followed by a Beach Clean/ Litter Pick Up in April.  A pub quiz was held with CIHT in June. A cheese and wine evening sponsored by Apex was held in September. A CPD event with Savills as well as a Beaujolais Day event were organised in November, followed by a Christmas party in December. 

RTPI Cymru Award for Planning Excellence

The Awards were launched in January and closing in March 2024.

The Wales Awards winners were announced at the RTPI Cymru Summer Party on 19^th July:

• Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy – Cardiff University Spark|Sbarc submitted by DPP Planning
• Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy (Commended)- Phase 3, St. Modwen Park Newport submitted by St. Modwen Logistics and Savills

• Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment -Llanwern Solar farm submitted by Lighthouse Development Consulting Ltd

• Excellence in Plan Making Practice –Wrexham Digital Place Plan submitted by Owen Davies Consulting

• Wales Small Planning Consultancy of the Year - Lighthouse Development Consulting Ltd

• Wales Small Planning Consultancy of the Year (Commended) - Amity Planning

• Wales Young Planner of the Year - Nia Roberts, Arup, Young Planner of the Year

Cynllunio

Two editions of the RTPI Cymru journal Cynllunio have been published in 2024 and distributed online. This will go back up to four editions in 2025. More regular updates, via our e-bulletin are sent to members on a regular basis.

Communications

Our X (formerly known as twitter) channel has now closed but regular updates are posted via Mark Hand and Dorine Chantepie LinkedIn pages.

Media

We have seen continued coverage of Wales’ issues and RTPI Cymru activity in The Planner magazine.

University Engagement

Winners of the RTPI Cymru Prize for Academic Excellence were presented with their Awards by RTPI Chair, Allan Archer and RTPI President, Lindsey Richards, in October: 

• BSc in Urban Planning and Development: Anna King

• BSc in Geography and Planning: Katlyn Davies-Shaw

RTPI Cymru supported Digital Planning events organised by Cardiff University including the 3rd July Digital Planning Conference.

The Policy Officer spoke to current students about career opportunities and professional ethics. The Director spoke about the RTPI and planning careers to undergraduate and postgraduate planning students in September and at an employer event for students in October.

2024 RTPI President Lindsey Richards FRTPI met with students and academics from Cardiff University as part of her two day visit in October. 

The Director met the Cardiff University Planning course academic team on 11 November, and is including them in periodic updates about events.

Cross-Professional Liaison

The new Director has met his counterparts from the CIH, CIOB, FMB, HBF, ICE and RSAW as well as attending Construction Industry Council meetings.

RTPI Cymru has joined the re-formed Built Environment Alliance Cymru (BEAC), which met on 11 October.

RTPI Cymru attended the October launch of the National Infrastructure Commission Wales’ report on Building Resilience to Flooding in Wales 2050.

New Chartered Members

We are delighted to welcome new members to RTPI Cymru and now have around 1,300 across Wales working across sectors, organisations and roles.

Congratulations to the following who became Chartered Members of RTPI in the year:

• Gethin Beynon
• Gemma Carrieri
• Jake Choules
• Abbie Connelly
• Megan Douglas
• Luke Harrell
• Margaret Henderson
• Imogen  Holgate
• Elen Jones
• Amy Longford
• Cerys Matthews
• Ffion Middleton
• Louis Pannell
• Thomas  Quille
• Sion Roberts
• Tobias Robinson
• Darryl Rowlands
• Nathan Slater
• Catrin Stephens
• Adeline Wilcox

In October 2024, we held a Welcome Event to celebrate the newly Chartered Members in Wales.

Apprenticeships

We are continuing to explore the option for introducing a Level 4 Town Planning Apprenticeship.

Wales Planning Consultants Forum

The Wales Planning Consultants Forum, providing a forum for planning consultants in Wales to come together and share experiences and provide support met 5 times this year and have carried on engaging with key stakeholders.

Promoting Planning as a career

A careers fair was held in Techniquest on 15 March. We have also promoted the newly relaunched BALANCE programme.

Our work is overseen through the RTPI Cymru Executive Committee and implemented by the Director and staff team based in Wales. The Executive Committee is represented on the RTPI's General Assembly, committees and panels.

Office bearers

• Allan Archer MRTPI, Chair (pictured right)
• Aneurin Mon Parry MRTPI, Senior Vice Chair
• Mark Farrar MRTPI, Junior Vice Chair
• Joe Ayoubkhani MRTPI, Immediate Past Chair

Corporate members

• Tom Molyneux-Wright MRTPI
• Emma Fortune MRTPI
• Neil Harris MRTPI
• Allan Pitt MRTPI
• Sean Taylor MRTPI

General Assembly representatives

• Chris Clarke MRTPI
• Emma Watkins MRTPI

Student and Licentiate Representatives

• Sarah Smith
• Gabriel de Bacco

Co-Opted Member

• Ahmed Abdi
• Jane Jones

Staff

• Director: Mark Hand MRTPI
• Policy Officer: Rhian Brimble MRTPI
• Member Services Officer: Dorine Chantepie
• Planning Assistant: Sion Mainwaring (until June 2024)
• Planning Assistant: Georgina Nee (from July 2024)