Preferred Strategy

4. Key Issues, Challenges and Opportunities

4.1 Background

The Powys Replacement LDP (2022–2037) must provide for the future sustainable growth of the plan area by considering the social, economic, environmental, and cultural issues that face the area.

Key Issues for the Replacement LDP have been derived from various sources including:

• Internal engagement exercises held during 2022/2023 involving County Councillors and Services.
• A review of the Issues / Considerations and Objectives of the Powys Adopted LDP (2011-2026).
• The Review Report (February 2022) and Annual Monitoring Reports (2021, 2022 and 2023) for the Adopted Powys LDP (2011-2026).
• Current legislation and national policy, including Future Wales - the National Plan 2040 and Welsh Government's ambitions to, "decarbonise society, to be more prosperous, to grow the Welsh language and to improve health."
• Plans and strategies for Powys and Mid Wales including the Powys Well-being Plan, the Corporate Strategic and Equality Plan, and the Mid Wales Area Statement.
• Feedback from Town and Community Councils in October 2022 on a Settlement Audit of the Adopted LDP's 58 largest settlements.
• Feedback from a 3-week period of non-statutory public consultation in January 2024 on the Draft Key Issues, Vision and Objectives for the Replacement LDP.

4.2 List of the Key Issues

The Key Issues identified for the Replacement LDP are listed below and are considered to be the main land use and spatial planning issues facing the plan area for the period up to 2037.

1. Responding to Climate Change - Mitigation and Adaptation.
2. Supporting Nature Recovery - Protecting, Maintaining, and Enhancing Biodiversity.
3. Caring for Resources - In the Natural, Historic, and Built Environment.
4. Promoting Sustainable Transport - Moving Within and Between Places.
5. Population - Responding to Demographic Needs and Challenges.
6. Planning for Well-being - Happy, Healthy, and Safe Lives in Sustainable Communities
7. Health - Supporting Healthy Lifestyles and Promoting Healthier Places.
8. Planning the Right Development in the Right Place – Ensuring Sustainable Development.
9. The Welsh Language - Promotion and Protection.
10. Planning for New Homes - Quantity, Quality, and Affordability.
11. Planning for a Vibrant Economy - Long Term Economic Well-being.
12. Planning for a Strong Farming and Rural Economy - Including Developing Local Food Networks.
13. Supporting the Mid Wales Growth Deal (MWGD) - Supporting the Regional Economy.
14. Supporting Sustainable Tourism.
15. Local Placemaking - Good Design Making Better Places.
16. Planning for Infrastructure and Service Needs - Including the Demands of a Digital Future.
17. Supporting Community Facilities and Community Assets.
18. Supporting Powys High Streets - Town Centre First.
19. Supporting Sustainable Energy - Harnessing Green Power and Promoting Energy Efficiency.
20. Managing and Reducing Waste.

4.3 Key Issues

This section describes each of the Key Issues in more detail. Please note that many of the Key Issues are interrelated.

Key Issue 1 (KI.1): Responding to Climate Change - Mitigation and Adaptation

Context: Climate change presents a hugely significant challenge to society and to address this there is a need for both climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation. The science of climate change is well understood with the need to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels if catastrophic climate impacts are to be avoided (The Climate Crisis - A Guide for Local Authorities on Planning for Climate Change, TCPA, RTPI, Jan 2023).

Adverse impacts include extreme weather events, increased flooding, rising sea levels, and water scarcity. The Powys Well-being Plan (2023) identifies that climate action is essential stating that, "the window of opportunity to maintain a liveable planet for humans and nature as we know it is closing very rapidly".

Climate change is a strategic priority for national policy across all parts of the UK. Powys County Council declared a climate emergency in September 2020 following the 2019 Welsh Government declaration (with its commitment to net zero by 2050). Climate change is recognised as an imperative issue in both the Council's Corporate Strategic and Equality Plan 2023 and the Powys Well-being Plan.

The Council has a Climate Change Strategy (2021-2030) and, as a partner in the Powys Public Service Board (PSB), is involved in the county wide Carbon Positive Strategy.

Accepting the climate emergency as a priority integrates with the approach taken by Welsh Government in both PPW and Future Wales and by NRW in the Mid Wales Area Statement. This Key Issue is cross-cutting with a relationship to many of the other Key Issues.

The Replacement LDP will support actions, interventions and development proposals which enable climate change mitigation (avoiding and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enabling carbon capture and storage) and adaptation. This includes flood resilience measures, managing stormwater drainage, and coping with the consequences of weather extremes. Nature-based solutions will be encouraged.

Key Issue 2 (KI.2): Supporting Nature Recovery - Protecting, Maintaining and Enhancing Biodiversity

Context: The planning system has an established role in the safeguarding and protection of designated sites of nature conservation value and in seeking to maintain and enhance biodiversity. However, the evidence indicates increasing environmental pressures with many ecosystems across the UK in decline.

The Council declared a nature emergency in October 2022. As part of the Powys Nature Partnership, the Council has published the Powys Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP) (2022-2032), which highlights how biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate due to a number of key pressures.

This Key Issue is related to KI.3, Caring for Resources. Welsh Government's Natural Resources Policy is a response to the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 which set out the requirement for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) in Wales. It is recognised that everyone has a role to play in ensuring that natural resources are sustainably managed. One of the main challenges is the improvement of ecosystem resilience, including the improvement of air and water quality.

Public authorities are subject to the Section 6 'Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty' under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, for maintaining and enhancing biodiversity in the exercise of their functions. This means development must work alongside nature, provide a net benefit for biodiversity, and improve the resilience of ecosystems.

Future Wales (Policy 9) highlights how resilient ecological networks are vital for nature recovery. Such networks are defined as, "networks of habitat in good ecological condition linking protected sites and other biodiversity hotspots across the wider landscape, providing maximum benefit for biodiversity and well-being".

Future Wales identifies nine broad areas of National Natural Resources where nationally important ecological networks / green infrastructure exist, including the Cambrian Mountains, the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. The areas are seen as, "a basis for promoting action to protect and enhance biodiversity and improve the resilience of ecosystems connected to strategically important green infrastructure".

The Replacement LDP will need to support actions, interventions and development proposals which protect, restore, maintain, and enhance biodiversity, including facilitating the safeguarding and enhancement of strategically important green infrastructure.

Key Issue 3 (KI.3): Caring for Resources - In the Natural, Historic and Built Environment

Context: Powys contains a wealth of resources of international, national, regional, and local importance within its physical, social, and cultural environment.

Powys is known for its varied and beautiful landscapes, valued by residents, attracting tourists, and providing places where both people and nature can thrive. The plan area is connected to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Dyfi) and has a Dark Sky Park (Elan Valley) and Dark Sky Community (Presteigne and Norton). There are numerous nationally and locally designated nature and geodiversity sites within the plan area and a notable historic environment.

PPW cites the need to protect and enhance the natural and historic environment as well as other components of the natural world, such as water resources and air quality. The planning system therefore must look to the long-term protection and enhancement of the special characteristics and intrinsic qualities of the natural, historic, and built environments. Given the breadth of relevant matters, the resources are divided into two categories:

i) Natural Environment Resources

Including:

• Land, air, water, and soil.
• Animals, plants, and other organisms.
• Designated (statutory and non-statutory) sites of nature conservation.
• Landscapes and landscape character, geological features, and dark skies.
• The countryside as a carbon sink and resource that provides for carbon sequestration.
• Peatland.
• Habitats, biodiversity hotspots, ecological networks and green infrastructure.
• Trees, woodlands, hedgerows (including ancient and semi-natural woodlands).
• Land designated for the Wales National Forest.
• The best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land.
• Mineral deposits.
• River floodplains, river systems and the riparian environment.
• Common land.
• Adjoining National Parks and National Landscapes (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

Issues and current concerns relating to natural environment resources include: declining biodiversity and degraded ecosystems, damage and loss to peatland, inappropriate tree planting, and the future security of food and water supplies. Some of these resources are also adversely affected by Climate Change.

ii) Historic and Built Environment Resources

Including:

• The distinctive and special character of towns and villages and their rural settings.
• The historic environment and its settings, including: listed buildings, conservation areas, historic assets of special local interest, historic parks and gardens, townscapes, historic landscapes, and archaeological remains.
• Transport infrastructure including roads, railways, canals, waterways, active travel routes / networks, recreational trails and the public rights of way network.
• Disused rail infrastructure, existing public transport interchanges and identified future transport infrastructure and related services.
• Ministry of Defence Training Area(s).

Key Issue 4 (KI.4): Promoting Sustainable Transport - Moving Within and Between Places

Context: Sustainable transportation infrastructure connects people with jobs, housing and leisure facilities. The priorities set out in Llwybr Newydd: the WalesTransport Strategy and the emerging Regional Transport Plan for Mid Wales are important considerations for the Replacement LDP. These priorities include reducing the need to travel and the implementation of the Sustainable Transport Hierarchy. All new development must be planned in accordance with the hierarchy which prioritises active travel (walking and cycling), then Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles (ULEVs) which are promoted over other private motor vehicles. This approach supports decarbonisation, addresses the climate and nature emergencies, and tackles inequalities.

The planning system aims to support development which prioritises access and movement by active travel and sustainable transport. It is recognised that public transport and active travel opportunities are more limited within many rural communities. For rural areas, Future Wales prioritises the uptake of ULEVs together with diversifying and sustaining local bus services.

A well-connected and reliable bus service is important in a rural county such as Powys, as are rail services. For both passengers and freight, improvements to the strategic rail corridor are part of the Mid Wales Growth Deal and are expected to help meet decarbonisation targets (there are measures to support decarbonisation of public transport) whilst supporting the modal shift to public transport.

Promoting sustainable travel and connectivity may include creating access and improvements to local public rights of way and active travel routes, canal towpaths, green/blue corridors, etc which link to good health and well-being.

Key Issue 5 (KI.5): Population - Responding to Demographic Needs and Challenges

Context: Powys has an increasing ageing population and faces the issue of an imbalanced population between older and younger demographics. The increasing retired, non-working population relative to the working age population is a challenge facing Powys as recognised in both the Powys Well-being Plan and the Corporate Plan.

Some older residents have specialist housing and care requirements and need access to appropriate accommodation and services, identified by the LHMA and other relevant studies.

To support more age-balanced communities, the Replacement LDP will need to support and create jobs, homes and opportunities that retain and attract more people of working age. In 2021, 56.6% of the Powys population was aged 16-64 years, compared to 61.1% in Wales and 62.4 % in the UK (Employment Needs Assessment, 2023).

As Powys has a negative net natural change (deaths exceed births), the impact of migration is highly influential on population change. Bolstering the incoming workforce is considered essential to allow economic prosperity and re-balance the age profile across Powys.

In terms of attracting the economically active, Powys is seen as a place where sole traders and small businesses can flourish. Many already operate as part of the foundational economy and micro businesses (employing less than 10 people) are predominant and accounted for 93.1% of all business in 2022, compared to 89.5% Welsh average (Employment Needs Assessment, 2023). The growth of self-employment and micro businesses can be supported by home working.

The Replacement LDP will need to be flexible and adaptable towards meeting demographic needs and challenges.

Key Issue 6 (KI.6): Planning for Well-being – Happy, Healthy and Safe Lives in Sustainable Communities

Context: The Replacement LDP must support the seven national well-being goals set by The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, 2015 and deliver the objectives of the Powys Well-being Plan, which has the following priorities:

• People in Powys will live happy, healthy, and safe lives.
• Powys is a county of sustainable places and communities.
• An increasingly effective Public Service for the people of Powys.

The Replacement LDP is instrumental in: planning the right amount and type of new homes and jobs in the right places and ensuring there is local infrastructure to support them; controlling inappropriate development; encouraging healthy, active lifestyles; creating, improving and safeguarding green / blue spaces and promoting green infrastructure, including play areas and sports provision, rights of way, active travel routes and common land.

The Replacement LDP will also need to support new models of intervention such as integrated services within new facilities e.g. the proposed North Powys Health and Well-being hub. These types of development project provide for the integration of care and well-being bringing together medical, health, community, social and other services.

Key Issue 7 (KI.7): Health - Supporting Healthy Lifestyles and Promoting Healthier Places

Context: A key planning principle is to facilitate accessible and healthy environments which means planning for and promoting physical and mental health and well-being. Health and well-being are closely interrelated. The way places work and operate can have an impact on the choices people make in their everyday lives, including their travel and recreational choices and how easy it may be to socialise with others.

The location and design of new development plays a significant role in supporting and encouraging active and healthy lifestyles. Healthier and more active lifestyles can be supported by locating development close to Active Travel routes, by providing access to green / blue infrastructure and by safeguarding and enhancing public open spaces such as play areas, allotments and other growing spaces. A good and improved public rights of way network and facilities for amenity, recreation, organised sports and coaching are examples of resources that promote exercise, health and social inclusion.

Good mental health should be promoted alongside physical health, meaning planning places that promote social interaction as well as spaces for quieter relaxation and more tranquil experiences, often in nature. The Powys Well-being Plan notes the concern of rising obesity, particularly childhood obesity. Planning is critical in protecting and securing sufficient outdoor play provision and accessible green space for the benefit of children and young people.

Key Issue 8 (KI.8): Planning the Right Development in the Right Place – Ensuring Sustainable Development

Context: Achieving the right development in the right place is a key planning principle of PPW.

The growth and spatial distribution of new development needs to be founded upon resilient location and design choices, having regard to many considerations including natural environment resources and health and well‑being.

Sustainable growth planned by the Replacement LDP needs to be located in accordance with a spatial strategy that supports the Regional Growth Areas identified by Future Wales - The Heart of Wales and Bro Hafren - and in accordance with a Sustainable Settlement Hierarchy. The Regional Growth Areas are expected to accommodate the regional housing, employment, and social needs and outside of these areas, further growth will need to be planned in sustainable locations to meet local needs.

Key Issue 9 (KI.9): The Welsh Language - Promotion and Protection

Context: It is predicted that the Welsh speaking population in Wales will increase in line with the Welsh Government's target to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050 (Cymraeg 2050: Welsh Language Strategy, Welsh Government).

The use of Welsh language varies considerably across Powys, with traditional Welsh Language Strongholds in the north-west and south-west communities. In these areas, Welsh language and Welsh culture is an integral part of the social fabric. However, the 2021 Census found that the number of Welsh speakers in Powys had decreased slightly over the ten year period 2011-2021.

The Council is committed to promoting the Welsh language and making it easier for residents to use. To facilitate this, the Council follows Welsh Language Standards, has a Welsh Language Promotion Strategy and a Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.

Growth will be distributed by the Replacement LDP to enable Welsh language use to thrive, and to sustain the strength of the language in areas of linguistic sensitivity and importance. Development proposals will be expected to contribute to initiatives which support and promote the Welsh language, and in so doing will complement the role of the education system in increasing the opportunities for children and young people to be bilingual.

Key Issue 10 (KI.10): Planning for New Homes - Quantity, Quality, and Affordability

Context: The Replacement LDP must plan to meet the housing needs of its communities. New homes are necessary to serve a growing population and the formation of smaller households. The latest Welsh Government Population and Household Projections are a key part of the evidence on planning the right number of new homes, as well as the Council's LHMA and waiting list information.

The Replacement LDP will identify a housing requirement figure for the number of new homes needed across the 15-year plan period.

An affordable dwelling target will be set, informed by the LHMA and up to date evidence on development viability. Powys has a primarily low-wage economy which impacts upon the affordability of new homes to local people with workplace earnings in Powys in 2022 ranked as the 16^th lowest of the 23 Local Authorities in Wales (Employment Needs Assessment, 2023). Average house prices in Powys have increased at a higher rate than average incomes resulting in an increased need for affordable housing.

In addition, the Replacement LDP must address specialist housing needs such as independent living, sheltered or extra-care housing for older people, supported living accommodation, the needs of the gypsy and traveller communities, and the needs of rural enterprises. Bespoke schemes like community-led and co-operative housing and self-build can help to address some of these needs.

Key Issue 11 (KI.11): Planning for a Vibrant Economy - Long Term Economic Well-being

Context: Powys has a wide economic base founded on agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, the public sector and services, and supports a high number of small to medium sized enterprises.

There is a need to provide employment sites and supportive policies to meet the employment needs and demands of both existing and new businesses in Powys. This will help to deliver a prosperous local economy and stronger communities.

One challenge faced by Powys is the retention and attraction of a working-age population. Having a dynamic, vibrant, and diverse economy, which protects existing jobs and provides opportunities for new higher paid jobs and skills, is considered essential in helping to address this challenge.

The Replacement LDP will need to provide a sufficient supply of employment land, safeguard existing sites and provide support to the wider rural economy. New employment development should be sustainably located, reducing the need to travel.

Key Issue 12 (KI.12): Planning for a Strong Farming and Rural Economy - Including Developing Local Food Networks

Context: As a predominantly rural county, farming and forestry activities are important for supporting rural livelihoods and communities across Powys, and for providing food security for the nation. Agriculture has shaped the Powys landscape and supported market towns for generations and is responding and adapting to the challenges of climate change and nature recovery.

The Replacement LDP will need to support the agricultural and horticultural sectors whilst being careful to manage any adverse effects and promote nature recovery.

Future changes to the farming subsidy regime are expected to increase support for sustainable land management and environmentally responsible farming. This may result in further diversification of the economy as rural enterprises respond and adapt. Diversification of the rural economy creates opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation and wealth creation which are vital both for a healthy economy and sustainable rural communities. The upland nature and quality of agricultural land in Powys might limit lead to further diversification in tourism and renewable energy.

Key Issue 13 (KI.13): Supporting the Mid Wales Growth Deal (MWGD)

Context: The regional vision of "Growing Mid Wales" states, by 2035, Mid Wales will be:

"An enterprising and distinctive region delivering economic growth driven by innovation, skills, connectivity and more productive jobs supporting prosperous and bilingual communities".

The Mid Wales Growth Deal (MWGD) is set within the broader vision for Growing Mid Wales and complements other strategies and investments from the public and private sector to bring prosperity to the communities and businesses of the region. The MWGD will play a key role in supporting economic recovery and growth in the Mid Wales economy, with the aim of supporting job creation and increasing productivity and wider societal and environmental ambitions.

The MWGD includes a set of programmes and projects covering a range of investment proposals across the themes of digital, tourism, agriculture, food and drink, research and innovation and supporting enterprise. The sites and premises work programme aims to stimulate property investment in the Mid Wales region to support varied industry sectors ensuring the right supply and location to meet business needs.

The MWGD is also looking to achieve strategic rail corridor improvements including supporting freight use as part of achieving environmental objectives. Key railway stations could be developed to provide for strategic hub interchanges. Rail improvements complement the required modal shift to public transport.

Working with the Welsh and UK Governments and other stakeholders, the Council already supports the aims and objectives of the MWGD and the Replacement LDP will be used as part of the solution towards ensuring the Deal is delivered successfully and achieves its desired outcomes.

Key Issue 14 (KI.14): Supporting Sustainable Tourism

Context: Tourism is an important part of the Powys economy. Visitors are drawn to the area for its outstanding scenery, cultural and heritage offerings and recreational opportunities which are often centred on the outdoors. Tourism is part of the foundational economy and there is potential for further sustainable tourism development especially in active, green and cultural tourism, as highlighted by Future Wales.

Future Wales describes the Mid Wales region as having, "a wealth of outstanding natural assets from harbours and waterways to mountains and designated landscapes, all of which contribute to an outstanding tourism offer".

Attracting tourism is linked to the issue of caring for resources (KI.3) especially with regard to protecting and improving assets such as the landscape, public rights of way, the national forest, historic and cultural assets. Towns and their centres also need to be in good health to be welcoming and attractive to visitors.

Key Issue (KI.15): Local Placemaking - Good Design Making Better Places

Context: The Council's Corporate Plan references how the Replacement LDP is important to developing prosperous towns and villages. A positive approach to local placemaking is regarded as key to the issue of delivering locally sustainable and prosperous places where people want to live.

Placemaking is defined in PPW as the creation of, "sustainable places which are attractive, sociable, accessible, active, secure, welcoming, healthy and friendly."

Placemaking for local places must follow the National Sustainable Placemaking Outcomes for:

• Growing our economy in a sustainable manner.
• Making best use of resources.
• Facilitating healthy and accessible environments.
• Creating and sustaining communities.
• Maximising environmental protection and limiting environmental impact.

Placemaking and good design are fundamentally interrelated. PPW sets out the objectives of good design which starts with site and context analysis and considers: Movement, Access, Character, Community Safety, and Environmental Sustainability.

Placemaking considers a wide range of factors and the Design Commission for Wales (DCfW) has devised a Placemaking Charter and published guidance on the principles for creating high quality places:

• People and community.
• Location.
• Movement.
• Mix of uses.
• Public realm.
• Identity.

The principle of identity, for example, includes the positive, distinctive qualities of an existing place such as its heritage, culture - including music, literature, sport and the arts - language and built and natural physical attributes.

Good design can enhance the safety of the built environment by adherence to Secured by Design principles.

It is important that the Replacement LDP complements and supports local Place Plans. Public realm improvements can help with the positive response to the climate and nature emergencies through careful planting of street trees and planters for example.

To create successful sustainable places, the Replacement LDP must have Placemaking and Good Design as a central tenet.

Key Issue 16 (KI.16): Planning for Infrastructure and Service Needs - Including the Demands of a Digital Future

Context: The Powys LDP area is the largest and the most sparsely populated plan area in Wales and its topography and rural nature provide challenges for infrastructure and service provision. However, these characteristics provide potential opportunities for appropriately located green infrastructure and renewable energy provision.

Most new development will need to be directed to locations that are best served by existing and planned infrastructure (public utilities, transport, etc) and services (health, education, leisure, etc). The Replacement LDP will define a Sustainable Settlement Hierarchy which has regard to infrastructure and service provision and supports the Regional Growth Areas identified by Future Wales as service hubs to, "retain and enhance the commercial and public service base that make them focal points in their areas."

By meeting future housing and economic needs, the Replacement LDP has the potential to impact on the demand for services and infrastructure and will need to be taken into account by service providers when planning future investment plans. The Council is reviewing its service provision through the framework of "Sustainable Powys" and the PSB provides an opportunity to co-ordinate health and well-being.

Some utility infrastructure, such as public sewers, waste-water treatment works, mains water and mains gas supply, are either unavailable or operating at capacity in parts of the Replacement LDP area and act as a constraint to development.

The need for improved digital communications and better mobile coverage is also an important issue for the Replacement LDP given its social and economic significance. New development is required by PPW to provide 'gigabit capable' (fast connectivity) broadband infrastructure.

Key Issue 17 (KI.17): Supporting Community Facilities and Community Assets

Context: Community facilities underpin the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the towns, villages, and rural communities of Powys. As well as serving local needs, the presence of community facilities and assets increases the vibrancy of settlements, bolsters the local economy, minimises social isolation, protects well-being and reduces reliance on the private car by reducing the need to travel to reach alternative services and facilities.

Supporting the retention and provision of viable community facilities to meet local needs is a crucial component of successful placemaking (KI.15) and to contribute to prosperous towns and villages.

The Replacement LDP can assist in safeguarding the provision of community facilities through its spatial strategy and by enabling communities to acquire assets they consider essential for their ongoing vibrancy.

Key Issue 18 (KI.18): Supporting Powys High Streets – Town Centres First

Context: A mix of complementary uses is needed to make town centres attractive, vital and viable places, to respond positively to the challenges of the high street recovery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, on-line shopping and the changing nature of offices and the workplace.

Many towns in the Powys LDP area have either a Place Plan, a Town Centre Investment Plan, or a Placemaking Plan to support thriving and vibrant town centres. The aspirations of these Plans will need to be considered by the Replacement LDP to ensure a co-ordinated approach.

The Replacement LDP must apply the 'Town Centre First' policy in Future Wales which requires any significant new commercial, retail, education, health, leisure and public service facilities (i.e. major generators of travel demand) to be located within town centres, and for a sequential approach to be used when allocating these types of development. The 'Town Centre First' approach aims to ensure that town centres continue as important multi-functional places acting as focal points of communities. This includes enabling the re-purposing and alternative uses of redundant and vacant premises and promoting regeneration. Smaller developments in towns, or proposals in smaller local centres, can also benefit from the approach so that facilities which generate footfall are integrated within walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods.

Key Issue 19 (KI.19): Supporting Sustainable Energy: Harnessing Green Power and Promoting Energy Efficiency

Context: It is considered that there is potential to carefully use the County's natural resources to support renewable energy generation and economic growth. There is a need to align renewable energy development with appropriate grid infrastructure.

The sustainable development of onshore wind, solar and energy storage projects and grid connections in appropriate locations will enable the generation and distribution of clean, green energy, contributing to addressing the climate emergency and meeting renewable energy and Net Zero targets for carbon.

Policies 17 and 18 of Future Wales enable the careful balancing of considerations within a principally positive framework for renewable and low-carbon energy projects. All proposals will need to demonstrate that they will not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the environment and the cumulative impacts of the proposal with existing, consented and other proposed renewable energy schemes will need to be considered.

Future Wales includes a commitment for new renewable energy projects to have an element of local ownership and to bring benefits to host communities.

The Mid Wales region is using a Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) approach which will inform a new National Energy Plan for Wales. There will be the need to consider the relationship of LAEP's local actions to the Replacement LDP.

It is important that the Energy Hierarchy in PPW is followed in order that all new development is planned to mitigate the causes of climate change. This means that the energy requirements of new and existing development should be minimised and energy efficiency measures included.

Key Issue 20 (KI.20): Managing and Reducing Waste

Context: The sustainable management of waste, where waste is minimised, reused, recycled, and successfully diverted away from landfill sites is critical for achieving a sustainable economy. There is a need to ensure the provision of a wide range and choice of different sites, in terms of character, size and location, across the county to accommodate the full range of different waste management facilities. The Replacement LDP will need to support the national waste hierarchy, and facilitate waste reduction, recycling and composting, and energy from waste.