Welsh Government urges planners to consider fire safety early in design process

Article summary

The Welsh Government has published Fire Safety Planning Guidance in the form of correspondence from the Chief Planner of the Planning Directorate, Neil Hemington, reminding the Heads of Planning to whom the correspondence is addressed of the importance of ‘ensuring the needs of the Fire and Rescue Authorities are considered early in the planning and design process’. Hemington mentions the importance of ensuring that fire safety is taken into account ‘when new building projects are being commenced, along with ensuring the Fire and Rescue Authorities can tackle a fire as effectively as possible’. The Heads of Planning are urged in the guidance to engage with the Fire and Rescue Authorities and fire safety experts when planning and designing new developments and involving them in Local Development Plan processes going forward.