The headlines for construction from the latest Natural Resources Bulletin focus on developers.

If you work in development then you need to be aware that the Cabinet Secretary for Environment & Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths AM, is looking to revise the national planning policy to support live music venues. She wants an explicit reference to the Agent of Change principle within the updated national planning policy. This will mean that if new developments or uses are to be introduced near a pre-existing business – such as a live music venue – it is the developers’ responsibility to ensure solutions to address and mitigate the noise are put forward.

In other news, Welsh Government is consulting on the proposed implementation of schedule 3 of the Flood Water Management Act 2010 which covers sustainable urban drainage systems on new developments. This covers off local authorities being the approving body – it also implies responsibility for the developer to ensure their projects have a sustainable drainage systems that meets mandatory national standards. The consultation closes in August.