Local Development Plan: Vision, Objectives & Options
Chapter 7
Proposed Policy Direction
7.0 Introduction
This chapter of the report provides an overview of the key topics for which policies will be developed in the new LDP. They are grouped by theme and are clearly linked to the strategic objectives.
For each theme and topic area a high-level summary of the topic is provided, alongside:
- an overview of the key national and regional context,
- proposed changes from the existing JLDP policy/approach, and
- the evidence required to support the proposed future policy direction.
Full consideration of the specific policy requirements will be included in the Preferred Strategy document.
7.1 Theme: Supporting a Sustainable and Vibrant Economy
Overview
7.1.1 The LDP is integral to supporting the Island’s economic activity. The LDP must make sufficient provision of land to support employment needs over the next 15 years. It must ensure resilience against changing circumstances and be flexible enough to adapt to changes in the economy. It must recognise and plan for the direct and indirect impacts of the significant strategic opportunities facing the Island such as the Freeport designation and development at Wylfa.
This section of the LDP will also consider the visitor economy and how this will be managed. The visitor economy accounts for a large proportion of Anglesey’s overall economy and the LDP should assist with growing and sustaining the visitor offer, reducing seasonality and increasing spend locally.
Key national and regional context
7.1.2 National policy states that the planning system should ensure that the growth of output and employment in Wales is not constrained by a shortage of land. Anglesey Freeport provides a unique opportunity to expand local employment and grow the Island’s economy.
National policy also provides the option of introducing an Article 4 direction to control visitor accommodation. This will be considered in the new LDP.
Changes from JLDP
The policies of the JLDP will need revising to allocate new sites and ensure a balanced economy across the urban and rural areas. It will assess the appropriateness of existing retail boundaries and be updated to better manage the visitor economy. The new LDP will also need to reflect the newly recently designated Freeport. Like the JLDP it will continue to address the potential employment and workforce needs of development of nuclear facilities at Wylfa. The Plan will also contain revised policies to control visitor accommodation.
Evidence requirements
7.1.3. A revised Employment Land Review has been prepared alongside economic forecasts of growth and trends, this has been utilised to develop the scenarios in the latter sections of this document. A key aspect of considering the economy and employment is cross border – including the impacts of Wylfa and potentially the Freeport - so ongoing discussions with Gwynedd Council and other North Wales authorities will continue.
7.1.4 A new retail study will be prepared to assess the retail needs for the Island and to help inform the boundaries of the larger town centres where retail and other related uses are protected.
7.1.5 Data regarding the number and spread of second homes and holiday let accommodation will be collated to consider the best approach to managing tourist accommodation in the Plan area.
7.2 Theme: Ensuring access to suitable Homes
Overview
7.2.1 National planning policy states that local planning authorities must develop housing policies to meet the challenges and circumstances that are evident in their areas in specific locations. The Plan’s policies and proposals will need to provide a framework for delivery of a range and mix of new homes (including affordable homes) and housing accommodation that is suitably informed by evidence of need.
Key national and regional context
7.2.2 PPW states that housing requirements must be based on evidence and clearly express the number of market and affordable homes required in the area over the Plan period. It states that the latest Welsh Government local authority level Household Projections for Wales, alongside the latest Local Housing Market Assessment (LHMA), will form an important part of the Plan’s evidence base. Alongside this, other relevant evidence can be included which considers the impact of certain policy choices. This relates to the particular impact on housing need of major opportunities such as development of nuclear facilities at Wylfa, the presence of the Freeport and the associated impact of the Energy Island Programme.
7.2.3 PPW notes that local planning authorities must develop policies to meet the particular challenges and circumstances that are evident in their areas in specific locations. A community's need for affordable housing is a material planning consideration that must be taken into account when forming development plan policies. The Plan must include a target for affordable housing taking account of deliverability and viability. Affordability is a critical issue in Anglesey that the LDP should help seek to address.
Changes from JLDP
Changes in population, economic and household forecasts will inform the level of housing that will need to be provided for the duration of the new Plan. A review of the allocations in the current LDP that are not commitments will be important. It will be important to consider changes that have been made in national planning policy including the publication of Future Wales, and in PPW with respect to changes to housing supply monitoring and affordable housing led sites.
Evidence requirements
7.2.4 There will be a need to undertake numerous studies to provide the baseline for housing policies in the new Plan. Key pieces of evidence include: LHMA; Plan-wide Viability Assessment, Housing Needs Assessment; Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment, and an assessment of candidate sites. Reference should also be made to the AMRs of the existing JLDP, which provide information on delivery of housing and affordable housing targets within the adopted LDP. Other studies, such as the economic growth assessment which consider the impact of major policy considerations on population change also need to be considered.
7.3 Theme: Infrastructure to support growth ambitions
Overview
7.3.1 Ensuring that development is supported by adequate physical, social, digital and green and blue infrastructure is a key consideration of the LDP. The LDP must ensure that existing infrastructure has the capacity to accommodate new housing and employment growth and where that capacity does not exist, that improvements are made.
7.3.2 Infrastructure in this context includes transport networks, utilities networks, education facilities (primary and secondary schools), health facilities (GPs, pharmacists), social infrastructure (e.g. community halls), digital infrastructure (internet access) and green and blue infrastructure (parks and open spaces).
Key national and regional context
7.3.3 PPW states that development should be located so that it can be well serviced by existing or planned infrastructure. In general, this will involve maximising the use of existing infrastructure or considering how the provision of infrastructure can be effectively co‑ordinated to support LDPs. There is in particular an increased emphasis on recognising green infrastructure as part of the required infrastructure necessary to support development. The LDP will also recognise the benefits of digital connectivity and remote working, which can reduce the need for travel, providing opportunities for rural areas.
Changes from JLDP
It is anticipated that the approach to infrastructure taken in the JLDP will be similar in the new LDP. A strategic policy requiring the delivery of infrastructure (and the use of developer contributions to fund this delivery) will be supported by specific policies ensuring the protection and enhancement of infrastructure assets.
Evidence requirements
7.3.4 The Council is currently preparing detailed evidence to identify the infrastructure baseline. This baseline will then be used to support decisions around how much growth can be allocated to certain areas of the Island. Ongoing discussions with infrastructure providers will be key to determining sites selected for development and ensuring that sufficient infrastructure is in place will be paramount.
7.4 Theme: Responding to a changing climate
Overview
7.4.1 Whilst it is important that all policies in the Plan have regard to climate change, it is considered that having a dedicated section with specific policy requirements will ensure that this issue receives appropriate consideration in any development taking place on the Island. This section of the Plan is also expected to contain policies to manage renewable and low carbon energy development.
7.4.2 The Plan will need to support measures to minimise the consequences of climate change (including flood risk) whilst helping to increase the ability to adapt to future effects and build resilience.
Key national and regional context
7.4.3 There is clear national and regional support for the incorporation of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies in the LDP as outlined in Chapter 2.
7.4.4 Future Wales acknowledges that flood risk is a constraining factor to development. Technical Advice Note 15 (TAN 15) on Development and Flood Risk, which took effect in March 2025 guides local authorities on how to manage flood risk when preparing LDPs and making planning decisions.
Changes from JLDP
The JLDP contained a number of policies aimed at addressing climate change but did not contain a specific section on climate change.
The JLDP recognised the risk of flooding and whilst it did not include specific policies solely relating to flooding, managing and minimizing flood risk was addressed within policies throughout the Plan.
The key principles of the updated TAN 15 that will need to be considered in the development of the new Plan are:
- Risk-based approach: adopting a proactive, risk-based approach to development, balancing flood risk and climate change projections with the need for sustainable development.
- Plan-led system: stronger focus on integrating flood risk management at the earliest stages of the planning process. LDPs must strategically allocate land for development using flood risk evidence.
- Precautionary framework: directing development away from high-risk flood areas in order of preference.
- Flood Map for Planning: The map is updated every six months and includes projections for climate change over the next century. It is the definitive framework for assessing flood risk in new developments.
Consideration will be given to the need for a strategic policy on flood risk in light of the updated TAN15.
Evidence requirements
7.4.5 The Council is supportive of renewable and low carbon energy development, and it is anticipated that evidence to support potential allocations for renewable energy development will be required. The Renewable Energy Capacity Assessment will need to be updated. It will also be necessary to collect evidence to ensure that the unique landscape of Anglesey is not harmed by proposed developments. Cumulative impacts of renewable and low carbon energy development will be considered.
7.4.6 A Strategic Flood Consequence Assessment will be required to provide a detailed overview of flood risk from all sources (river, coastal, surface water, etc.) within Anglesey. The SFCA will guide the Council on how to approach development in areas with varying levels of flood risk.
7.5 Theme: Preserving and promoting Welsh Language and Culture
Overview
7.5.1 The LDP has a crucial role to play in promotion of the Welsh Language on Anglesey. Alongside objectives requiring consideration of language, the LDP will contain policies aimed at ensuring impact on the Welsh language remains a material consideration in planning applications.
Key national and regional context
7.5.2 Promotion of the Welsh Language is seen as role for planning. North Wales, and in particular Anglesey, have a key role to play in preserving and promoting the Welsh language.
Changes from JLDP
The JLDP contained key policies which sought to increase the number of Welsh speaks on Anglesey. However, between 2011 and 2021 the number of Welsh speakers on the Island fell by 1,155 (1.4%). This is partly due to the increase in second homes created over the period. Despite this, there are a number of areas which have seen an increase in Welsh speakers, often in locations which have seen strong housing growth. This suggests that further growth can help to increase the numbers of Welsh speakers in communities.
The new LDP will contain broadly similar policies to the JLDP with the aim of supporting the Welsh language. It is anticipated that there will be a focus on providing sufficient housing and jobs to enable Welsh speakers to remain on the Island.
Evidence requirements
7.5.3 The new LDP will continue to include measures to support the Welsh language. It is considered that existing data from the Census, Welsh Government and other Council departments will be sufficient to support this and no new evidence will be produced.
7.6 Theme: Protecting the Natural and Historic Environment and the Management of Resources
Overview
7.6.1 The Plan Area’s natural environment, historic and cultural assets must be protected, promoted, conserved and enhanced. The Plan will need to ensure that the policy framework facilities objectives to protect, conserve, promote and enhance the natural and historic environment recognising it as a finite and integral part of historical and cultural identity of the Island.
Key national and regional context
7.6.2 Planning Policy Wales requires plans to address the long term and chronic decline of biodiversity and habitat loss, adaptation to the effects of climate change and recognising and addressing the factors influencing landscape change.
7.6.3 In respect of the historic environment, national policy requires that development protect, conserve, promote and enhance the historic environment as a resource for the general well‑being of present and future generations. Local policy should provide guidance in respect of statutory designations, reflecting the greater historical significance of international, national and local statutory designations, compared to local designations.
7.6.4 Relevant also to the natural environment is the extraction of minerals. National policy requires the balancing of the fundamental requirement to ensure the adequate supply of minerals with the protection of amenity and the environment.
Changes from JLDP
It is expected that a broadly similar approach to that set out in the JLDP will be taken in the new LDP. The JLDP has policies that seek to identify and protect the most important natural and historic environment and landscape features, e.g. the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (now referred to as a National Landscape), Special Landscape Areas and Wildlife Sites as well as seeking to protect landscape character generally. This includes policies addressing biodiversity conservation and coastal protection.
Evidence requirements
7.6.5 The Council requires updated evidence to understand the impact that renewable and low carbon energy schemes (wind and solar) could have on the landscape.
7.6.6 There is also a need for updated green infrastructure and open space evidence to ensure policies reflect the latest policy and guidance.
7.6.7 The current policies relating to the historic environment are considered to be performing effectively other than the need to undertake a review of terminology to bring them in line with national policy. The same applies to minerals policies.
7.7 Theme: Promoting placemaking and Wellbeing
Overview
7.7.1 Placemaking is the collaboration across sectors and disciplines to comprehensively consider the future development and shaping of distinctive vibrant places . Placemaking has grown in importance as the links with health and wellbeing have been more explicitly explored and understood.
7.7.2 The current policies relating to the historic environment are considered to be performing effectively other than the need to undertake a review of terminology to bring them in line with national policy. The same applies to minerals policies.
Key national and regional context
7.7.3 Planning Policy Wales requires placemaking to create sustainable places which are attractive, sociable, accessible, active, secure, welcoming, healthy and friendly. Ultimately development should create the conditions to bring people together, making them want to live, work and play in areas with a sense of place and well‑being, creating prosperity for all.
Changes from JLDP
The JLDP has a place shaping policy which requires sustainable and inclusive design. This is supported by Supplementary Planning Guidance for Anglesey on design for the urban and rural environment. This covers matters such as the setting of a site, landscape, infrastructure, public realm and specific design matters. It is anticipated that a broadly similar approach to placemaking and design will be taken in the new LDP.
Evidence requirements
7.7.4 The Council may update the existing design guidance contained in the Supplementary Planning Guidance to better reflect modern needs and considerations, e.g. low carbon development.
