Cymraeg

Deposit Plan

Ends on 9th December 2026 (42 days remaining)

2 Policy Context Comment

2.1The 2RLDP Deposit Plan has been prepared in the context of a wide-ranging suite of national planning policy and legislation, with which the plan needs to be in general conformity, as well as other, related regional and local policy documents, The principal elements of this context and how they relate to the 2RLDP are outlined below.

National Context Comment

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 Comment

2.2The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (WBFG Act) requires public bodies to make decisions in line with the ‘sustainable development principle’. In other words, they “must act in a manner which seeks to ensure that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

2.3The WBFG Act has seven well-being goals:

  • A prosperous Wales
  • A resilient Wales
  • A healthier Wales
  • A more equal Wales
  • A Wales of more cohesive communities
  • A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language
  • A globally responsible Wales

2.4It sets out five ways of working for public bodies:

  • Taking account of the long term;
  • Helping to prevent problems occurring or getting worse;
  • Taking an integrated approach;
  • Taking a collaborative approach; and
  • Considering and involving people of all ages and diversity.

2.5Sustainable development is at the heart of both the 2RLDP and the Integrated Sustainability Appraisal (ISA) process that assesses the policies, site allocations and designations set out within it. The five ways of working continue to shape the 2RLDP.

Planning (Wales) Acts 2015 and 2026 Comment

2.6The Planning (Wales) Act (Planning Act), which came into force in July 2015, sets out to make the planning system fairer and more resilient without weakening its support for sustainable development. It has five key objectives and introduces a legal basis for the preparation of the National Development Framework (NDF) and Strategic Development Plans (SDPs).

2.7The SDP is the spatial framework for development in a defined region. The South-East Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) will prepare the SDP for the region, however, the Delivery Agreement for the SDP is still in its early stages. Therefore, preparation of the 2RLDP will precede work on the SDP.

2.8The Planning (Wales) Act 2026 consolidates planning law in Wales into a single piece of legislation and received Royal Assent in April 2026. Subordinate legislation is anticipated to be laid before the Senedd, and the Act is due for commencement, in 2027.

Environment (Wales) Act 2016 Comment

2.9The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 (Environment Act) set out to manage natural resources in a more sustainable way. Section 6 requires public authorities to maintain and enhance biodiversity and to promote the resilience of ecosystems.

2.10The Environment Act also requires Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to produce Area Statements. The Area Statement for South East Wales covers Caerphilly County Borough and is part of the 2RLDP’s evidence base.

Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 Comment

2.11The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 (Active Travel Act) promotes walking, wheeling and cycling for ‘purposeful’ journeys, such as those to work, school or hospital appointments. Its objective is to reduce the use of the car by making active travel easy, safe and convenient.

2.12The Active Travel Act requires local authorities to prepare Active Travel Network Maps (ATNMs) that show routes and facilities. Every year, local authorities must create new routes and facilities and improve existing ones. The ATNM for Caerphilly County Borough is part of the 2RLDP’s evidence base.

A More Equal Wales - The Socio-economic Duty Equality Act 2010 (2021) Comment

2.13The Socio-economic Duty came into force in Wales on the 31 March 2021. It requires specified public bodies, when making strategic decisions such as ‘deciding priorities and setting objectives’, to give ‘due regard’ to reducing social and economic inequality. The Duty applies to the 2RLDP and falls within the scope of the ISA.

Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 Comment

2.14The Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 consolidates and modernises existing law for protecting and managing Wales's historic environment, which is an important part of placemaking. It provides the legal framework for:

  • Scheduled Monuments: It addresses the maintenance of the schedule of nationally important monuments, the process for adding or removing them, and the control of works to them.
  • Conservation Areas: It provides for the protection and enhancement of the character and appearance of conservation areas.
  • Listed Buildings: The Act provides for the care and protection of listed buildings, although a specific provision for listed buildings in disrepair is to be brought into force at a later date.
  • Historic Environment Records: It relates to the management and accessibility of Wales's comprehensive records of archaeological and historical sites.

Future Wales: The National Plan 2040 (Welsh Government, February 2021) (Future Wales) Comment

2.15Future Wales sets out the 20-year spatial framework for land use in Wales, and serves as the national level of the development plan. Future Wales earmarks certain places for nationally important growth and infrastructure, provides direction for SDPs and LDPs and supports the determination of Developments of National Significance.

2.16Future Wales has 11 outcomes that envision Wales in 2040:

A Wales where people live….

  • and work in connected, inclusive and healthy places
  • in vibrant rural places with access to homes, jobs and services
  • in distinctive regions that tackle health and socio-economic inequality through sustainable growth
  • in places with a thriving Welsh Language
  • and work in towns and cities which are a focus and springboard for sustainable growth
  • in places where prosperity, innovation and culture are promoted
  • in places where travel is sustainable
  • in places with world-class digital infrastructure
  • in places that sustainably manage their natural resources and reduce pollution
  • in places with biodiverse, resilient and connected ecosystems
  • in places which are decarbonised and climate resilient.

2.17Future Wales has 18 national policies and four regional policies that apply only to south-east Wales. Whilst the 2RLDP must be consistent with all Future Wales policies, the following are especially relevant:

Policy 1 - Where Wales will Grow

Defines the South-East Region as an area of national growth, requiring authorities in the region to make provision for a level of growth commensurate with its status as a national growth area. This is re-affirmed in the regional Policy 33 - National Growth Area – Cardiff, Newport and the Valleys, which addresses the development requirements in the region.

Policy 2 - Shaping Urban Growth and Regeneration - Strategic Placemaking

Sets out the national policy requiring placemaking to be at the heart of every development.

Policy 6 - Town Centre First

Sets out a ‘Town Centre First’ approach to the delivery of large-scale development, seeking to ensure that retail, commercial and community-focused uses are located within town centres.

Policy 7- Delivering Affordable Homes

Re-affirms Welsh Government’s aspiration to deliver significant levels of affordable housing, including through the planning system.

Policy 8 – Flooding

Supports flood risk management that facilitates sustainable economic and national growth, promoting nature-based solutions and seeking to maximise social, economic and environmental benefits from flood risk management infrastructure.

Policy 9 - Resilient Ecological Networks and Green Infrastructure

Sets out Welsh Government’s policy for maintaining and enhancing biodiversity, promoting the resilience of ecosystems and green infrastructure and the increased emphasis on Net Benefit for Biodiversity.

Policy 12 - Regional Connectivity

Sets out the Welsh Government’s commitment to improving and increasing sustainable transport and requires authorities in the national growth area to plan growth to maximise opportunities arising from investment in public transport. In addition, Regional Policy 36 – South East Metro provides a regional policy basis for the development of the South East Wales Metro public transport initiative and for Metro-focussed developments.

Policy 16 - Heat Networks

Specifically identifies Caerphilly town as a location for the consideration of a district heat network.

Policy 17 - Renewable and Low Carbon Energy and Associated Infrastructure

The principle of renewable and low carbon energy-related development is strongly supported.

Policy 18 - Renewable and Low Carbon Energy developments of National Significance

Pre-Assessed Areas for Wind Energy are identified. These are areas that have been assessed for landscape and general impact, and are considered acceptable, in principle, for renewable energy development.

Policy 34 – Green Belts in South Wales

Policy 34 introduces the requirement for a greenbelt in the South-East Wales Region to the north of Cardiff and Newport and the eastern part of the region. The policy requires that the greenbelt and their boundaries be established through the SDP. However, the policy also includes the requirement that local authorities should not permit or allocate development in areas shown for consideration for greenbelts until the SDP is adopted.

Planning Policy Wales (PPW), Edition 12 (2024) Comment

2.18Edition 12 of Planning Policy Wales (PPW) sets out national planning policy, as formulated by Welsh Government and underpinned by sustainability principles, and is consistent with the statutory well-being goals of the WBFG Act. PPW sets out a presumption in favour of sustainable development and sees a plan-led approach as the best way of achieving sustainable development. Chapter 6 – Distinctive and Natural Places puts a duty on local planning authorities to ensure development achieves Net Benefit for Biodiversity. PPW supports the idea of ‘placemaking’, which “considers the context, function and relationships between a development site and its wider surroundings”.

2.19At a strategic level, placemaking has four themes:

  • Strategic & Spatial Choices;
  • Active & Social Places;
  • Productive & Enterprising Places;
  • Distinctive & Natural Places.

2.20PPW requires development plans to ‘include a spatial strategy covering the lifetime of the plan which establishes a pattern of development improving social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being’. Housing targets should be in line with employment forecasts, and new development should be near existing or planned infrastructure. The need to travel should be minimised and active travel and public transport made more attractive. Development plans should ‘provide the main means for achieving integration between land use and transport planning’.

2.21PPW explains how to identify and rank potential development sites. Whilst previously developed and/or underused sites in existing settlements are favoured, sustainable greenfield sites in or next to settlements may also be acceptable. In either case, ‘a broad balance between housing, community facilities, services and employment opportunities should be promoted’ to create active, social and well-connected communities.

Technical Advice Notes (TANs) Comment

2.22PPW is supported by Technical Advice Notes (TANs) and Minerals Technical Advice Notes (MTANs). They provide additional clarification on land use planning policies on a topic/issue basis and should be taken into account in the preparation of LDPs.

Building Better Places - The Planning System Delivering Resilient and Brighter Futures: Placemaking and the Covid-19 recovery (WG, July 2020) Comment

2.23This document sets out the Welsh Government’s planning policy priorities in terms of assisting with post-Covid 19 recovery. It states that the planning system should be centre stage in the consideration of built and natural environment issues that have arisen from the pandemic. The document highlights the key existing planning policies and tools which should be used by all sectors in the environmental, social, cultural and economic recovery of Wales, recognising the continuing need for planners to operate within a wider context of priorities and action at all scales. Local Development Plans should actively embrace the placemaking agenda set out in PPW, with each plan unique to an area, identifying its character, strengths and areas which need improving and set out policies on how these areas will be improved.

2.24The document reinforces Welsh Government’s commitment to better places, placemaking, quality outcomes and good design, and identifies policy areas that should be the focus of consideration and action, to act as a catalyst for a recovery. It identifies key issues which bring individual policy areas together to ensure that action is the most effective. The 2RLDP is a key tool for addressing these issues and will play an important role in supporting the post-Covid recovery of the County Borough. The eight issues are:

  • Staying local: creating neighbourhoods;
  • Active travel: exercise and rediscovered transport methods;
  • Revitalising our town centres;
  • Digital places: the lockdown lifeline;
  • Changing working practices: our future need for employment land;
  • Reawakening Wales’ tourism and cultural sectors;
  • Green infrastructure, health and well-being and ecological resilience;
  • Improving air quality and soundscapes for better health and well-being;

Prosperity for All: A Low Carbon Wales (2019) Comment

2.25This document sets the foundations for Wales to transition to becoming a low-carbon nation. To meet the requirements of the Environment Act, greenhouse-gas emissions must be reduced by at least 80% before 2051. The WBFG Act’s five ways of working will shape Wales’s approach to decarbonisation.

2.26The planning system can help to ‘decarbonise’ Wales. Placemaking policies call for a built environment that is attractive, that has easy-to-reach services and that respects its natural and historic surroundings. Policy areas with similar aims include renewable energy, green infrastructure and transport. All LDPs must support the push for decarbonisation.

Regional Context Comment

Cardiff Capital Region City Deal Comment

2.27Caerphilly CBC is one of 10 local authorities in south-east Wales that make up the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR). These authorities work together on such regional issues as economic growth and sustainable transport. Over the next 20 years the CCR City Deal will help the economy by improving transport links, increasing skills, helping people into work and supporting businesses. A five-year Strategic Business Plan to leverage maximum economic and social benefits out of the deal was agreed in May 2018 by all 10 local authority partners and the Welsh and Westminster Governments. The Business Plan specifies the regional strategic objectives of the CCR which are:

  • Prosperity and Opportunity - building the capacity of individuals, households, public sector and businesses to meet challenges and grasp opportunity, creating a more productive economy;
  • Inclusion and Equality - a vibrant and sustainable economy which contributes to the well-being and quality of life of the people and communities in the region now and in the future; and
  • Identity, Culture, Community and Sustainability - forging a clear identity and strong reputation as a City Region for trade, innovation and quality of life.

2.28The CCR are developing a range of funding mechanisms to assist in the development of the region, seeking to address issues of infrastructure and viability. These mechanisms include:

  • Wider Investment Fund, which is broken down into sub-funds targeted at specific categories;
  • Challenge Fund, aimed at finding solutions to challenges associated with decarbonisation, improving health and well-being, and transforming communities;
  • Strategic Sites and Premises Fund, to support the region’s Industrial and Economic Plan, targeting key projects to deliver the regions objectives;
  • Innovation Investment Fund, to provide growth capital to innovative businesses in key industry sectors.
  • Northern Valleys Initiative, to increase prosperity and competitiveness across six local authorities (Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Torfaen) by stimulating private sector investment to generate jobs and boost GVA.

Corporate Joint Committees Comment

2.29Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs) are corporate bodies that bring together individual local authorities into regional organisations of strategic governance. The South East Wales CJC came into effect in April 2024 and constitutes the ten local authority areas of the Cardiff Capital Region. It is responsible for strategic development planning (preparing the SDP), regional transport planning (preparing the Regional Transport Plan (RTP)) and promoting the economic well-being of the area.

South Wales Metro Comment

2.30The Metro is a network of bus, rail and active-travel routes that will speed up and simplify journeys in and beyond south-east Wales. An important part of Welsh Government policy, it is funded through the CCR City Deal. Future Wales requires that LDP growth strategies maximise the benefits of Metro funding. Welsh Government, through Transport for Wales (TfW), operates the Metro rail services in the region, while local authorities are responsible for bus services and active travel.

2.31Transport for Wales (TfW) continues to improve the rail network in south Wales. The Rhymney Valley line was fully electrified in December 2025, new trains are in operation both there and on the Ebbw Valley line and station improvements have been carried out. Through the Metro Plus project, funding may become available for longer-term projects, including some in Caerphilly County Borough.

Regional Collaboration Comment

2.32Since 1996, the 10 local authorities of the CCR have worked together as the South East Wales Strategic Planning Group (SEWSPG). SEWSPG considers relevant local and regional policy issues along with the Welsh Government.

2.33The LDP process requires local authorities to consider cross-boundary issues. Together, the CCR authorities have:

  • Prepared a development viability model for site-specific and high-level assessments (all 10 CCR authorities and local authorities in the Mid and West Wales Regions);
  • Commissioned a Larger than Local Regional Employment Study (Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Newport - looking at the regional employment market);
  • Procured a consultation database system for the LDP (Caerphilly, Vale of Glamorgan and RCT);
  • Commissioned a Regional Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Assessment (Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen);
  • Commissioned a Strategic Flood Consequences Assessment (All 10 CCR authorities);
  • Commissioned a Regional Study on Growth and Migration in the Cardiff Capital Region (all 10 CCR authorities);

2.34Collaboration and liaison with the other local authorities will continue as the 2RLDP progresses and where opportunities occur for joint commissioning or collaboration on issues, Caerphilly CBC will continue to contribute positively towards them.

Well-being Plan for Gwent Comment

2.35In August 2023 the Gwent Public Service Board (Gwent PSB) published the Well-being Plan for Gwent, which has two well-being objectives:

  • To create a fairer, more equitable and inclusive Gwent for all; and
  • A climate-ready Gwent, where our environment is valued and protected, benefitting our well-being now and for future generations.

Local Context Comment

2.36Caerphilly County Borough Council has several corporate strategies that are relevant to the 2RLDP:

Caerphilly County Borough Corporate Plan Well-being Objectives 2023 – 2028 (Revised 2026) Comment

2.37The Corporate Plan sets out five well-being objectives for the County Borough:

  • WBO1 - Enabling our Children to Succeed in Education
  • WBO2 - Enabling our Residents to Thrive;
  • WBO3 - Enabling our Communities to Thrive;
  • WBO4 - Enabling our Economy to Grow; and
  • WBO5 - Enabling our Environment to be Greener

Climate Emergency and The Decarbonisation Strategy Comment

2.38In June 2019 the Council formally declared a Climate Emergency and committed itself to:

  • Becoming net carbon neutral by 2030; and
  • Developing a clear decarbonisation strategy that allows the Council to meet the carbon neutral target.

2.39In November 2020 the Council formally adopted its decarbonisation strategy entitled Reduce, Produce, Offset and Buy. The strategy sets out the following energy hierarchy:

  • REDUCE: Reducing energy use is the first step in the energy hierarchy. There are many ways in which the authority can further reduce its impact on the environment and specifically reduce the volume of carbon emissions it emits.
  • PRODUCE: Generating its own “green” electricity and heat at the point of use will reduce the Council’s carbon emissions and will bring the added benefit of offsetting grid demand and reducing system losses associated with grid supplied electricity.
  • OFFSET: In order to achieve net zero carbon, the authority will need to offset any carbon emissions. There are a number of ways that the Council can do this, including tree planting, rewilding and sustainable drainage.
  • BUY: The new way of thinking required for the Council to achieve its net zero carbon goal will also focus on how it purchases goods and services. Everything the Council purchases has embedded carbon associated with it and this will need to be considered in the procurement process.

2.40Two documents support the Decarbonisation Strategy:

  • ACTION PLAN: Implementing the objectives of the Decarbonisation Strategy requires a myriad of actions to be taken forward by a wide range of stakeholders. The Action Plan sets out these actions in more detail and focuses activity around target areas.
  • ENERGY PROSPECTUS: The Energy Prospectus sets out the key areas in which the Council will focus that could result in major reductions in carbon emissions, highlighting key energy projects that the authority is investigating and pursuing.

Caerphilly Economic and Regeneration Strategy Comment

2.41In January 2025 the Council adopted the Caerphilly Economic and Regeneration Strategy, which replaces “A Foundation for Success 2018 - 2023”. The strategy has three main themes:

  • People: This theme targets actions that directly relate to the people who live, work and play in the County Borough;
  • Place: This theme targets actions that directly relate to the places in the County Borough;
  • Prosperity: This theme targets actions that directly relate to wealth creation and the economy within the County Borough.

2.42Like the 2RLDP, the Caerphilly Economic and Regeneration Strategy sets out to increase economic activity and prosperity in the County Borough.

Housing Strategy: An Agenda for Change 2021 – 2026 (Housing Strategy) Comment

2.43The Housing Strategy explains how the Council and its partners will achieve their housing objectives. The strategy’s long-term vision covers affordability, supply, quality, management, sustainability, resilience and health and well-being.

Air Quality Strategy Comment

2.44The Council will publish an Air Quality Strategy that protects public health in line with national legislation. It will seek to reduce traffic emissions by promoting active travel, the integration of public transport, the management of travel demand and the expansion of electric-vehicle charging networks.

2.45The Council will continue to monitor air quality across the County Borough, creating Air Quality Management Areas where necessary. It will also ensure that major building work involves management plans for dust and emissions.

Placemaking Charter Comment

2.46Caerphilly CBC, having signed the Placemaking Wales Charter, will apply placemaking principles to every form of development. The Charter, developed by Welsh Government and the Design Commission for Wales, sets out six principles that guide the creation of high‑quality, sustainable and community‑focused places:

  • Involving communities in shaping proposals;
  • Selecting sustainable locations for new development;
  • Prioritising active travel and public transport;
  • Promoting a mix of land uses;
  • Creating inclusive, safe, well‑defined public spaces;
  • Respecting the unique character and qualities of existing places.

Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) Comment

2.47The Caerphilly Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) sets out to achieve ‘Net Zero’ carbon emissions by 2050. It sits alongside the council’s Net Zero Carbon 2050 Strategy, adopted in May 2025. The LAEP identifies local ways of decarbonising energy and maps required changes across:

  • Energy generation;
  • Domestic and non‑domestic buildings;
  • Transport;
  • Energy networks.

2.48The LAEP highlights:

  • Short‑term priorities, reaffirming existing council and partner commitments;
  • Recognition that more complex, medium‑ and long‑term interventions will be required to fully shift to a net‑zero energy system;
  • A vision for a future local energy system aligned with Welsh Government’s climate goals.

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Comment

2.49The Council’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) was updated in 2024 and sets out the objectives for managing local flood risk and how the strategy contributes to the achievement of wider environmental goals.

2.50The LFRMS introduced three Critical Drainage Areas (CDAs), which are areas that have significant surface water flood risk.

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