Planning Policy Wales - Brecon Beacons National Park

13.1 Objectives
13.1.1 Planning and environmental management are separate but complementary. By controlling
where development can take place and what operations may be carried out, the planning system
has an important role in avoiding or minimising the adverse effects of any environmental risks on
present or future land use.
13.1.2 The Assembly Government’s objectives are to:
• maximise environmental protection for people, natural and cultural resources, property and
infrastructure; and
• prevent or manage pollution and promote good environmental practice.
13.1.3 It is advantageous for the land use planning and various environmental management
regimes to operate in parallel. Local planning authorities and pollution control authorities should
co-ordinate a joint approach towards developers where possible, especially when an Environmental
Statement is required. Implementation of the EU Environment Directives is requiring the various
consenting regimes to operate in a more integrated way. For example, competent authorities are
encouraged to undertake in combination the assessment needed to fulfil requirements under the
Habitats Directive.
13.1.4 Special attention needs to be given to minimising and managing the risks associated with
climate change. Planning authorities, the Environment Agency and others, in particular the building
industry, should use the precautionary principle to plan now, on the basis of the latest climate
change scenarios from the UK Climate Impact Programme, and consider how a changing climate
is expected to influence environmental risks over the lifetime of new development. Given current
uncertainty as to the precise impacts of climate change, planning authorities need to ensure that
both places and the development that takes place within them remain adaptable. For example,
local planning authorities should identify circumstances in which development might prevent effective
management of risks in future. Where it is not possible to avoid building in areas of environmental
risk, appropriate design and other adaptation responses will be necessary for both the development
and local communities.
13.1.5 The Environment Agency and other bodies with an interest should advise planning
authorities as more knowledge and information becomes available as to where climate change will
increase the specific risk to areas proposed for development.
13.2 Flood risk and climate change
13.2.1 Flood risk, whether inland or from the sea, is a material consideration in land use planning.
All development on land within the flood plain of a watercourse, or drained via a culvert, or on low
lying land adjacent to tidal waters, is at some risk of flooding and whilst flood risk can be reduced
by using mitigation measures it can never be completely eliminated.
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Planning Policy Wales Edition 3 - July 2010 - Chapter 13 Minimising and Managing Environmental
Risks and Pollution