Renewable energy generation could be given a boost in Wales following plans to update the country's planning policy.

Last month (June), environment minister Jane Davidson announced the need to update the policy.

Now, changes have been proposed which are intended to ensure that the move to renewable energy "is as joined up and smooth as possible".

Ms Davidson said: "Climate change continues to be one of the greatest threats to mankind and we know that the build up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is directly linked to our increasing use of fossil fuels.

"The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to taking action to reduce carbon emissions and one key way of ensuring this is through a transition to renewable energy."

She added that enabling a framework for renewable energy projects will help ensure that they are productive while balancing the local impact on communities.

The proposed changes include the identification of different scales of renewable energy development for planning policy purposes and establishing new criteria on which Local Planning Authorities can base their decisions.

Posted by Emily Thomas

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Welsh government press release