Written question WQ100320
- Asked by
- Huw ThomasLabour
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
Will the Cabinet Minister provide the details of any discussions held with internal and external stakeholders regarding the suitability of the current planning and regulatory framework for data centre developments, including the dates of those discussions, the organisations represented and any actions arising from these discussions?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning (Siân Gwenllian)
Details of ministerial meetings are published routinely as part of the Welsh Government’s transparency arrangements.
We believe in a sustainable and balanced approach to developing Data Centres. Any proposed data centre development remains subject to the existing planning system and environmental regulation, with robust checks and balances in place to ensure that environmental and community impacts are properly considered before consent is granted. Planning policy is also kept under constant review, and we have the option to introduce specific planning policies in relation to data centres if considered necessary. This is being actively considered.
Wales is increasingly being recognised as a strategic location for the infrastructure needed to support the digital economy. Investment in data centres has the potential to create new economic opportunities and support skilled employment. But the Welsh Government believes that the benefits of any investment must be felt by businesses, communities and in the wider Welsh economy.