Newport City Council has become the first in Wales to introduce a planning initiative which will reduce the red tape for certain types of development in the city centre.

A Local Development Order is now in force following a public consultation earlier this year and the approval of the Welsh Government.

It streamlines the planning system by granting blanket planning permission for non-contentious forms of development in a defined area

A range of specified uses are allowed on the lower, ground and upper floors of buildings. In order to protect the retail and café functions of the city centre, the LDO is more restrictive and permits only certain changes of use in the ground-floor units of these areas.

Councillor John Richards, Newport City Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Investment, said: “We believe this will have considerable benefits for the city centre by increasing occupancy levels and commercial activity.

“We are working hard to support and stimulate appropriate development to help boost the city centre’s vibrancy while protecting its character and traditional architecture. I am grateful to all those who took part in the consultation which helped shape the final scheme.

“These are exciting times for Newport and the city centre with Friars Walk on the brink of completion after the council took a number of bold steps to ensure it was able to progress, and the Vibrant and Viable Places programme transforming some key buildings.

“However, we know there is still more to be achieved and, as a council, we will continue to look for ways to further regenerate the city centre and other parts of Newport.”

The full details of the Local Development Order can be found at www.newport.gov.uk/cityldo