UK Government has unveiled its list of nearly 140 infrastructure projects it wants to fast track. The Government in Westminster has published a Growth Plan for the UK as part of its 'mini-Budget' announced by chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng.
This includes investment zones in England with streamlined planning and tax cuts - with discussions to take place with Welsh Government about a site or sites in Wales, where there are already Enterprise Zones.
There is also a list of infrastructure projects which will be accelerated as rapidly as possible by the Government. These projects may benefit from acceleration through planning reform, regulatory reform, improved processes or other options to speed up their development and construction, including through development consent processes.
READ MORE: Call to nationalise West Coast Mainline rail services between North Wales and London
There are 138 projects - mainly road projects which don't cover Wales as this area is devolved to Welsh Government. Rail infrastructure does come under UK Government but there are no projects in Wales on the list despite calls to increase investment after historic underfunding of the rail network in the country.
When it comes to energy there are two nuclear projects on the list. These are Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell C in Suffolk but Wylfa or Trawsfynydd are not on that list. No developers are currently in place at the Welsh sites which could explain their omission at this stage, with the other schemes included at a more advanced stage.
However one major project off the coast of North Wales could benefit. The list includes windfarm extension projects around the coast.
This includes Awel y Môr - an extension to the Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm. RWE Renewables is leading the development that would sit over 10km off the coastline of Llandudno and Colwyn Bay.
It would lie to the west of Gwynt y Môr with a possible maximum of 50 turbines – which could potentially be 332 metres tall. The project would provide a major boost to renewable energy production in Wales.
But not everyone is in favour with concerns raised over the impact on Llandudno's visitor sector and also on marine life. The final decision lies with the UK Government - with the UK Planning Inspectorate making the recommendations on the scheme.
Its inclusion on the list could see the planning process accelerated. The Growth Plan says its aim is to get the vast majority starting construction by the end of 2023 - although this is probably too ambitious for Awel y Môr.
The Government added: "Presence on this list does not guarantee, where applicable, funding, planning consent or approval for other regulatory or permitting processes and the list is non-exhaustive of all projects which may benefit from acceleration."
The Round 4 offshore wind farm projects are also on the list. The closest to North Wales is a 1,500MW project to the north east of Anglesey being led by a consortium between BP and German energy firm EnBW.
Read next:
