Green InfrastructureIn Wales, green infrastructure is no longer an optional extra. Planning Policy Wales (PPW) Edition 12 requires all planning applications to be supported by a proportionate Green Infrastructure Statement, demonstrating how green infrastructure has been considered, integrated and delivered as part of development proposals.
Green Infrastructure in Wales
In Wales, green infrastructure is no longer an optional extra. Planning Policy Wales (PPW) Edition 12 requires all planning applications to be supported by a proportionate Green Infrastructure Statement, demonstrating how green infrastructure has been considered, integrated and delivered as part of development proposals.
Ethos supports developers across Wales to navigate these requirements with clear, policy-aligned green infrastructure strategies that reduce planning risk and add long-term value to places.
What is Green Infrastructure?
Green infrastructure is the network of natural and semi-natural features that intersperse and connect places. It operates at multiple scales, from landscapes and ecosystems to site-level and individual design features, including:
Habitats, woodlands, rivers and wetlands
Parks, open spaces, public rights of way and green corridors
Trees, hedgerows, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), green roofs and walls
When planned and designed effectively, green infrastructure delivers multiple benefits at the same time, supporting biodiversity, climate resilience, water management, placemaking and community wellbeing.
What developers in Wales are required to do?
Planning Policy Wales is explicit:
“A green infrastructure statement should be submitted with all planning applications.”
Key points for developers:
The Green Infrastructure Statement is now a core planning document, assessed alongside ecology, drainage, landscape and design information.
Applies to all planning applications
Must be proportionate to the scale and nature of development
Minor development requires a short, non-onerous statement
Major and sensitive sites require a more detailed, evidence-led response
The statement must demonstrate how the stepwise approach has been applied
The Welsh stepwise approach
Planning Policy Wales requires developers to demonstrate a stepwise approach, ensuring green infrastructure is embedded from the outset. In practice, this means:
Step 1 — Understand the site and its context
Identify existing green infrastructure assets and networks
Understand ecological connectivity and wider landscape context
Consider Natural Resource Wales (NRW) Area Statements and any local Green Infrastructure Assessments
Outcome: An evidence-led understanding of constraints and opportunities.
Step 2 — Avoid and minimise harm
Retain important habitats, trees, hedgerows and watercourses
Avoid fragmentation of ecological networks
Design around green infrastructure rather than removing it
Outcome: Key assets protected at the outset.
Step 3 — Integrate GI into design and layout
Green infrastructure shapes the layout, movement routes and open spaces
SuDS, trees and green corridors are multifunctional design features
Supports placemaking, climate resilience and wellbeing
Outcome: Green infrastructure embedded into the heart of the scheme.
Step 4 — Enhance and connect
Strengthen connections within and beyond the site
Deliver net benefits for biodiversity
Contribute to resilient ecological networks
Outcome: Development actively improves the wider environment.
Step 5 — Secure long-term management
Clear proposals for ownership, management and maintenance
Recognition that green infrastructure is dynamic and living
Alignment with long-term stewardship and monitoring
Outcome: Benefits secured beyond planning permission.
What a strong Green Infrastructure statement includes:
Relevant policy context
Baseline assessment of existing green infrastructure assets
Identification of constraints and opportunities
Explanation of how GI informed site layout and design
Description of multifunctional benefits delivered
Measures to improve connectivity and resilience
Proposals for long-term management and maintenance
Where local Green Infrastructure Assessments or Supplementary Planning Guidance are absent, we also support the use of Building with Nature standards as recognised good practice.
Ethos supports developers across Wales by:
Interpreting Planning Policy Wales Edition 12
Preparing robust, proportionate Green Infrastructure Statements
Integrating GI with ecology, SuDS, landscape and design
Applying the stepwise approach clearly and consistently
Using Building with Nature standards to strengthen schemes and support accreditation
Reducing planning risk through early, evidence-led advice
Building with nature and green infrastructure
Building with Nature (BwN) provides a recognised, policy-supported framework for delivering high-quality green infrastructure in the UK. Planning Policy Wales explicitly identifies the Building with Nature standards as good practice for demonstrating the sustainable management of natural resources and strengthening green infrastructure outcomes.
Building with Nature aligns closely with the requirements of a Green Infrastructure Statement by:
Supporting the stepwise approach from early design through to long-term management
Demonstrating multifunctional benefits for biodiversity, water, climate resilience and wellbeing
Providing a clear, evidence-led structure that planning authorities recognise and understand
Where local Green Infrastructure Assessments or Supplementary Planning Guidance are limited or absent, Building with Nature offers a robust benchmark to guide design and demonstrate compliance. Ethos has in-house Building with Nature qualified assessors and can support schemes through:
Early-stage BwN readiness reviews
Integration of BwN principles into Green Infrastructure Statements
Formal Building with Nature assessments and accreditation support
Used together, Green Infrastructure Statements and Building with Nature provide a powerful, joined-up way of reducing planning risk while improving the quality and long-term performance of development.
Why developers choose Ethos?
Experienced ecologists
..surrounding green infrastructure projects.
Experienced surveyors
Our team includes highly experienced, skilled surveyors.
Proven track record
Extensive experience conducting clear, policy-aligned green infrastructure strategies that reduce planning risk and add long-term value to places.
Proportionate approach
We deliver tailored solutions that balance ecological requirements with development objectives and always consider the most practical solution.
Timely reporting
We provide clear, comprehensive reports to support planning applications.
Rapid site visit availability
Ensuring minimal delays to development timelines preventing costly delays.
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We provide tailored solutions to help you deliver high-quality, sustainable green spaces. Contact us today to discuss your needs. Whether you require:
Biodiversity net gain
Policy advice
Full strategy
Ecological assessments.
