An important part of the Local Development Plan process is the submission and assessment of Candidate Sites. Early in the process, the Local Planning Authority will invite landowners, developers and the public to suggest sites for development or protection, to be included within the new Local Development Plan. You can suggest sites that should be protected, such as new nature reserves, at this stage.

Larger and more complex developments are usually decided by the planning committee. Each local planning authority will have its own rules as to which applications will be decided by the planning committee (called the scheme of delegation). You can find out if an application is going to be decided by committee by looking at the application information or by asking the case officer.

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There is not much time left to ensure the new Agriculture (Wales) Bill will enable the restoration of nature in Wales. Despite months of discussions with the Welsh Government, the Bill currently ignores the importance of nature restoration.

Local planning authorities can produce Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) on any topic where they think more information is needed. This can include issues such as Biodiversity, Street Trees, or Landscaping but also the development of a particular area, such as an area masterplan.

We are working towards securing a wilder future for nature and wildlife in Wales.

To help our wildlife and environment recover we need to invest in our land and countryside, at a higher level than we currently are.

Wildlife Trusts Wales represents the five Wildlife Trusts in Wales working together in partnership to protect wildlife. The Wildlife Trusts in Wales collectively speak on behalf of more than 24,000 members and manage over 200 nature reserves, covering more than 8,000 hectares of prime wildlife habitat, from rugged coastline to urban wildlife havens.