TERRAQUEST will take over the provision of its Planning Portal service for planning applications across Wales starting 31 March 2025, following a new agreement with the Welsh Government.

The Planning Portal, already in use for over 97% of planning applications in England, will allow Welsh applicants to submit planning applications and receive essential updates regarding sites in Wales.

The service will be fully bilingual, offering both Welsh and English language options. Existing users of Planning Applications Wales will retain their accounts and can easily transfer to the new system.

Applicants will benefit from enhanced services, including standardised payment options across all 25 Welsh authorities, which will streamline the submission process and reduce invalid applications.

Additionally, the Planning Portal will feature a built-in location plan tool, capable of generating compliant plans, capturing spatial data, and transferring it digitally to Welsh authorities—reducing the need for third-party tools.

The new portal will also offer developers working in both England and Wales a consistent experience across both countries.

Plans are in place to add more features, such as integration with building control applications, ensuring a comprehensive service from a single platform.

Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: “We are committed to streamlining the planning process in Wales and speeding up decision-making on key projects. This seamless transition to a trusted partner will help ensure consistency and efficiency, benefiting both applicants and the planning process.”

Geoff Keal, CEO of TerraQuest, said: “We are excited to deliver both a smooth transition and an improved experience for users. The Planning Portal is a proven tool that has successfully supported thousands of applicants in keeping track of their applications. We look forward to working closely with the Welsh Government and welcoming new users in Wales.”

SAMUEL KURTZ Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, delivered the closing address at the Empower Cymru 2025 conference this week.

The event, held at Techniquest in Cardiff, brought together industry professionals from wind and solar energy, oil and gas, education providers, and other key stakeholders to discuss the future of Wales’ energy sector.

Closing the conference, the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Energy highlighted the prosperity that energy production can bring to communities that have long felt left behind.

He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for pragmatic policies that encourage investment in renewable energy, including hydrogen production and carbon captur, while being realistic about Wales’ need for oil and gas for the foreseeable future.

Speaking after the event, he said: “It was fantastic to see so many people from across the energy sector come together to discuss Wales’ future. We have talked at length about our country’s incredible potential for renewables, thanks in part to our extensive coastline and access to the Celtic Sea, but now is the time for action.

“If we can demonstrate that Wales is open for business, we can attract investment in infrastructure and education, ensuring secure energy supplies, creating green jobs, and generating prosperity for our local communities.

“For too long, industrial decline has led to fewer job opportunities and economic stagnation in parts of Wales. By embracing energy production, we have the chance to reverse that trend, revitalise our economy, and safeguard our economic and energy security during these turbulent times.”

FAMILIES STRUGGLING AS THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS DEEPENS

THE RISING cost of living is forcing Welsh parents to buy unhealthy food for their children, as healthier options become unaffordable, a new survey by Barnardo’s Cymru has revealed.

According to the survey, around one in five parents (22%) admit they have no choice but to purchase unhealthy food every week due to financial constraints. The findings come as Barnardo’s Cymru reports visiting homes where there is no food, with some mothers skipping meals entirely to ensure their children can eat.

Maria Jones, a children’s services manager with Barnardo’s Cymru, said: “We are seeing families who are beyond crisis point. It is no longer a choice of heating or eating for some. They simply have no heat and their cupboards are bare.”

Children surviving on unhealthy diets

Families are increasingly reliant on supermarket discount shelves, purchasing whatever is cheapest, regardless of nutritional value. Jones added: “Too many children are now just living on chips. It’s a huge problem, and who knows what the long-term impact will be.”

To combat food insecurity, Barnardo’s Cymru has distributed thousands of pounds worth of food vouchers in recent months. However, even food banks struggle to provide fresh produce, leaving families with limited nutritious options.

Jones, who works in Newport, highlighted the city council’s role in supporting the distribution of supermarket vouchers. “We have had families breaking down in tears on the doorstep because they are so grateful to have help with fresh food,” she said.

Survey exposes growing crisis

The YouGov survey questioned 231 parents across Wales with at least one child under 18. Key findings include:

• 22% of parents bought unhealthy food weekly due to affordability issues.
• 41% said they had to opt for cheaper, unhealthy food at least once a month.
• 72% of parents who resorted to unhealthy food choices expressed concern over their children’s diets.
• 18% believed their children’s diets had worsened due to the cost of living.

Barnardo’s has also published a report, Nourishing the Future, which highlights the growing number of children missing out on nutritious food. The report warns that the average height of five-year-olds in the UK is declining, and Victorian-era diseases linked to malnutrition, such as rickets, are making a return.

Structural inequalities deepening food insecurity

The report, drawing on insights from children, parents, and experts, reveals:

• Families and young people want healthier diets but struggle to afford them.
• Healthy food is out of reach for those on low incomes or Universal Credit.
• Structural inequalities in the food system make it harder for certain groups to access nutritious food.

Barnardo’s also highlights the additional difficulties faced by families in temporary accommodation. Many are living in single hotel rooms without cooking facilities and rely on takeaways for months. Even after securing housing, families often move into unfurnished spaces without basic necessities such as beds, cookers, or fridges.

Jones explained: “They have a roof over their heads but very little else. We often have to step in with essentials like blow-up beds while they wait for emergency grants.”

Calls for government intervention

Parents without access to budget supermarkets are also facing higher costs, as they are forced to shop at expensive corner stores.

Sarah Crawley, Director of Barnardo’s Cymru, said: “We are seeing the impact of poverty on children’s nutrition in homes across Wales. Far too many children and young people are missing out on nutritious food, with huge knock-on effects for their health.

“We know that parents are making big sacrifices so their children have the best food they can afford. But healthy food is out of reach for so many families.”

The charity’s report recommends government action, including:

• Increasing the value of healthy shopping vouchers for low-income families.
• Strengthening regulations on the quality of school meals.
• Using revenue from future sugar or salt taxes to tackle food insecurity.

Barnardo’s Cymru is calling for urgent measures to ensure that no child in Wales has to go hungry or suffer long-term health consequences due to financial hardship.