I was pleased to hear the recent announcement by the One Wales Government which will mean significant changes to planning guidance in rural Wales. A review is being held on Technical Advice Notice 6, which provides local planning authorities with advice on how the planning system can be used to improve access to affordable homes, create a sustainable rural economy and introduce one planet communities. The One Wales Government has made a commitment to look at increasing affordable housing for local people while helping to diversify the rural economy at the same time. We need TAN 6 to be able to meet the needs of rural areas by ensuring that local people have access to affordable housing and employment and helping to attract young people into farming by providing opportunities to build a second house on an established farm. This will allow a younger person to manage or work part-time on the farm while allowing an older farmer who may want to retire or work part-time to stay in the family home. It will encourage the 22 local and three national park authorities to work collaboratively with rural communities to identify opportunities for affordable housing and to diversify the rural economy. Ultimately, what we want to see is a planning guidance that supports living and working rural communities that are economic, socially and environmentally sustainable. I would urge as many people as possible to take part in the consultation, which I believe is a significant change to planning guidance for rural areas. The consultation will run until 16th October 2010. The revised guidance TAN is expected to be published in 2010 The consultation is available on the Welsh Assembly Government web site and can be found at http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/?lang=en Copies are also available by contacting: Planning Policy Branch Planning Division Welsh Assembly Government Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3 NQ Tel: 029 2082 3107 Email:planning.division@wales.gsi.gov.uk