Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 – Bold Vision or Budget Mirage?

On 18 June 2025, the Welsh Government laid five key pieces of legislation to implement the consenting process outlined in the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (in force since 3 June 2024). These statutory instruments provide the operational framework to bring the Act to life – another step forward in accelerating decision-making and delivery for large-scale infrastructure projects in Wales.

The Act is being phased in, and not all provisions are currently in force. The remaining provisions—including key regulatory and procedural powers—are scheduled to come into force on 15 December 2025. This has important implications for how current infrastructure projects are handled, and full consent procedures, examination and enforcement mechanisms, will only apply once the relevant parts of the Act are activated in December 2025.

The Act creates a unified consenting regime for major infrastructure projects. It aims to provide clarity and consistency in application processes, timelines, and responsibilities, reducing duplication and administrative burden for developers and public authorities. This should lead to more efficient decisions and faster delivery, especially in critical sectors like renewable energy, transport, and digital infrastructure.

The Act front loads early and meaningful engagement with statutory consultees and communities which should improve transparency and help developers identify and address concerns before formal submission. Projects should then progress more smoothly through the examination phase with fewer objections and legal challenges.

Many infrastructure projects are central to decarbonisation, and by accelerating delivery, the Act supports the transition to a net zero economy. Projects will undergo rigorous environmental assessments to ensure sustainability is embedded in design and delivery, including biodiversity and climate resilience.

Like any reform though, there could be several challenges. Capacity constraints in local authorities are a real concern, especially during this transition. A shortage of planners—due to underfunding, low salaries, heavy workloads, and skills gaps – could create bottlenecks and undermine efficiency gains. Local authorities, consultees, and Welsh Government will need specialist support to examine complex projects, straining already limited resources.

While the Act supports sustainability goals, its effectiveness depends on adequate investment. Achieving net zero requires significant funding for renewable energy, public transport, and energy-efficient infrastructure. Without fair and sufficient funding, the framework may not translate into delivery. Balancing priorities is also key—robust decision-making must avoid favouring economic growth or cost over sustainability, or vice versa.

Multi-agency collaboration and safeguards are also essential to ensure the Act complements existing environmental and planning frameworks. Conflicts with LDPs, weakened environmental protections, or national-led decisions undermining local planning priorities, will erode trust and community support.

The Act also introduces new responsibilities for developers, including more rigorous pre-application consultation and documentation. As we transition into implementing this process, it may be a learning curve for everyone involved. The pre-application requirements will increase upfront costs and complexity, but this could level out and lead to long-term gains if it reduces delays and overengineering.

There’s also a need to balance speed with scrutiny. While faster decisions are welcome, projects must still be properly assessed to protect communities and the environment. Public trust is crucial, especially as future projects are fast-tracked.

The Act also allows public authorities to charge fees for determining infrastructure consent applications. While this supports financial sustainability, public funding will likely still be needed, and transparency from Welsh Government will be important.

Despite these challenges, the legislation is designed to be adaptive—delivering faster, more effective decisions, accelerating project delivery, and supporting net zero and economic growth. Its success depends on integration with other systems, adequate resourcing, and a commitment to transparency and long-term impact.

Welsh Ministers have not yet published formal performance indicators for the Act or the broader infrastructure strategy, but this is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of investment and delivery.

Looking ahead, infrastructure investment in Wales presents both opportunity and challenge. The Act lays the foundation, but realising its potential depends on overcoming constraints—budget limitations, delivery capacity, attracting investment, and ensuring robust evaluation. Fundamentally, Wales needs more investment. Without fairer funding and sustained political commitment, the Act’s potential will be limited.

While Wales continues to lag behind in infrastructure delivery and funding, it's important to note that other parts of the UK are also grappling with significant consenting challenges. In England, the NSIP regime has become increasingly slow and complex, prompting recent legal reforms aimed at streamlining approvals. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland faces legal setbacks tied to climate legislation, with major projects being delayed due to non-compliance with environmental duties.

These issues highlight that across the UK, legal reform and strategic investment must go hand in hand to unlock infrastructure progress, drive economic growth and social equity.

Is this new legislative framework and Welsh Governments’ investment strategy a bold vision—or are we facing a budget mirage? Time will tell.