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.”

WELSH Water’s chief executive has defended his high earnings amid mounting criticism over soaring customer bills and the company’s record on sewage pollution.

Peter Perry, head of Dŵr Cymru, told MPs on the UK Parliament’s Environment Committee that his salary was “reflective of performance.” However, in Wales, the company has faced repeated scrutiny for its handling of sewage spills, service disruptions, and rising household water costs.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and the Environment, Janet Finch-Saunders MS, questioned Dŵr Cymru’s performance, highlighting a series of recent failures.

In January, as many as 40,000 homes in North Wales were left without water after a burst pipe at the Bryn Cowlyd Water Treatment Works in Dolgarrog, Conwy. The company has also issued boil water notices in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Welsh beaches have experienced some of the highest levels of sewage discharge in the UK.

In 2023, Dŵr Cymru was responsible for over 916,000 hours of sewage discharges into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters—around 20% of all recorded sewage spills across England and Wales.

Finch-Saunders said: “We’ve seen constant headlines about sewage dumping, service disruptions, and rising customer bills, making it unbelievable that the head of Dŵr Cymru can justify his inflated salary as performance-based.

“With Wales facing four times as many sewage discharges proportionally as England, and Dŵr Cymru customers now paying the highest water bills in the country, such an exorbitant salary is a slap in the face to customers.

“The public shouldn’t be forced to cover the costs of inflated executive pay, especially when water companies have failed to address long-standing issues and delayed critical infrastructure upgrades until it’s too late.”

CEO’s earnings under scrutiny

Despite being a not-for-profit organisation, Dŵr Cymru has continued to pay its chief executive a substantial salary.

• Peter Perry’s total remuneration in 2021 was £892,000.
• In 2022, he earned £675,000, rising to £792,000 in 2023.
• In 2024, his salary was £355,000, with £91,000 in variable pay, £34,000 in pension-linked payments, and a further £9,000, bringing his total earnings to £489,000.

Meanwhile, Dŵr Cymru customers are set to face the highest water bills in England and Wales.

THE OWNER of a well-known bridal boutique in Llandeilo has donated nearly 100 bespoke wedding gowns to charity as he prepares to close his business after 16 years.

Huw Rees, the stylist and broadcaster behind Huw Rees Brides, said he was forced to shut the store due to kidney failure. Wanting to end on a “positive note,” he has donated dresses to several charities, including Cancer Research, the British Red Cross, local colleges, and even a dog charity.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Mr Rees said: “People have been disappointed. We are a multi-award-winning brand and just won a national wedding award recently, but customers who know why have been very supportive.”

Among the donations, around 20 dresses have gone to Cancer Research, while 40 gowns have been given to Bridgend and Carmarthen colleges to support sustainability projects. A further 30 wedding dresses, along with bridesmaids’ dresses, veils, and accessories, have been handed over to the British Red Cross in Llandeilo.

British Red Cross shop manager Sarah Morris said the store was “overwhelmed” by Mr Rees’ generosity.

“The shop has been buzzing with excitement. The phone has been ringing with enquiries about the dresses, and customers have been visiting to try them on,” she said. “The money raised will support our work across the UK and worldwide, helping people in crisis. We are truly grateful to Huw for this donation.”

The donated gowns include bespoke designs by Mr Rees, as well as dresses from luxury brands such as Ellis Bridal, Lou Lou, and Louise Bentley, typically priced at over £1,000. However, the donated dresses have been sold for between £50 and £100.

Mr Rees, who is known as Huw “Fash” and is a regular on S4C programmes Prynhawn Da and Heno, has openly spoken about his health struggles, including undergoing dialysis for kidney disease.

Despite the closure, Mr Rees said he and his team will honour their commitments to existing brides, with their final wedding scheduled for November.

Looking ahead, the stylist revealed he is training to become a celebrant and hopes to officiate weddings instead of designing dresses.

“We’ve had 16 successful years, and I’m just grateful for the supportive brides,” he said. “Now it’s time to think about the future.”