Regen's response to Welsh government's consultation on promoting a resilient and high-performing planning service in Wales

To address these challenges, our response highlights three key recommendations:

• Upskilling local authority planners. Targeted training is essential to close the skills gap in renewable energy planning. Local authority planners and those at other decision-making levels need regular, updated training to understand the siting considerations impacting renewable energy projects and any updates to the wider energy system. This training should be available to both existing and new planners and include annual updates to reflect emerging technologies and policy changes. By equipping planners with the necessary expertise, local authorities will be better prepared to manage the increasing volume and complexity of renewable energy applications.
• Bursary and apprenticeship schemes. Regen strongly supports bursary and apprenticeship schemes to address critical skills shortages and attract diverse talent into the planning sector. To maximise impact, these schemes should include dedicated renewable energy planner roles, particularly within Corporate Joint Committees and areas of high strategic importance and be complemented by measures to retain trained planners within the public sector, such as competitive salaries and clear professional development pathways. This dual approach would ensure local authorities have the capacity and expertise to support small-scale and nationally significant projects effectively.
• Renewable energy planning skills hubs. The creation of planning skills hubs focused on renewable energy has the potential to alleviate resource constraints. These hubs could provide access to up-to-date knowledge on renewable energy technologies, offer skilled staff on short notice to support local authorities and deliver targeted training to upskill planners.