Consultation on our regulatory fees and charges for 2023/2024
Results updated 31 Mar 2023
As part of our commitment to continually assess our service delivery, review our charges for regulatory activities, and to ensure processes are as efficient and effective as possible, NRW commissioned a Strategic Review of Charging (SRoC) programme, a root and branch review of the permitting services provided to our customers.
NRW’s charging schemes are based on the principle of full cost recovery in line with Managing Welsh Public Money, HM Treasury rules and obligations under the Natural Resources Body for Wales (Establishment) Order 2012. Our aim is to develop a charging scheme that applies the right charges to our activities and that the cost of our permitting and compliance work is recovered from those we regulate, avoiding subsidy through the public purse (Grant in Aid). By fully cost recovering, this helps ensure NRW is better able to regulate and protect the environment of Wales, contributing to the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources.
NRW is committed to continually improving our processes making them as streamlined and efficient as possible, providing a valuable service and a reduced burden on business. The programme focussed on changes to the fees and charges for new and amended permits. In addition, we also conducted a high-level assessment of our annual subsistence charges.
NRW ran a 12-week public consultation from 10 October 2022 to share our proposed regulatory fees and charges for 2023/24 and seek feedback. We received 102 responses to the consultation from a breadth of individuals, businesses, and organisations. We really value the feedback received and we have taken account of all responses before finalising our proposals.
We commissioned an independent consultant to thematically analyse all consultation responses, which generated the following general themes:
- Criticism of the timing of our charging proposals.
- The suggestion that regulatory charges should be partially funded by Grant in Aid (GiA)
- The view that NRW should offer greater transparency on the charge models used to design the proposed fees and charges.
- The potential for increased charges to disincentivise good environmental behaviours and increase the type and scale of illegal or non-compliant activities.
- The view that NRW should do more to improve guidance and processes and should look to make efficiencies to our permitting and wider regulatory services.
- The suggestion that poor performers and/or polluters should pay more for the regulatory services they use.
The independent analysis also produced a series of regime-specific themes. NRW has responded to the general and regime-specific themes in this consultation response document.
Following the consultation and a review of all feedback received, NRW has made the following revisions to the proposals as consulted upon.
Welsh Government is continuing to undertake the necessary assurance work on the proposals. Advice will then be provided to the Minister and a decision taken thereafter. NRW’s application charges for permits and licences will remain at 2022/23 rates until superseded by the introduction of any new charging scheme, and we will keep our customers updated on timescales for implementation.
From 1 April 2023, NRW’s annual subsistence charges will increase by 6% in eight areas as outlined in our proposals.
1. Water resources abstraction and impoundment charges
The feedback received from the consultation suggested that our proposed new charges would be cost prohibitive for these types of applications. With regards to weir removals in particular, respondents suggested that this activity could cause environmental damage if not carried out sustainably.
In response, we will retain the current 2022/23 application charges to support non-commercial activity undertaken wholly and exclusively for the purpose of environmental benefit within Water Resources (excluding activities to deliver the water company National Environment Programme). We will use water resources subsistence charges to fund the remaining cost of determining these applications. These application charges will be £135 for abstraction licences and £1,500 for impoundment licences or transfer licences.
2. Minor amendment charge for species licensing
The feedback received from the consultation suggested that our proposed charge for administrative tasks was too high, since they would not take long to complete.
We agree that some administrative tasks take less time than others and we will therefore charge £73 for a minor amendments and more complex amendments will be charged at an hourly rate of £125/hr.
3. Consult on the OPRA replacement tool for installations charges
Through our consultation, we proposed a new way of calculating application charges for Installations that will replace the existing OPRA system. Feedback suggested that respondents were unable to comment fully because the detail of how the tool would affect them was not available.
We will now consult formally on the details of the new banding tool proposed, to provide further transparency of our charges to relevant customers.
We will continue to receive OPRA based application charges at current levels until the new banding tool is consulted on, refined as necessary, and implemented. Subject to the outcomes of the consultation, we plan to implement the new banding tool and associated charges before the end of 2023.
Files:
- Consultation Response Document.pdf, 503.5 KB (PDF document)
- Consultation Responses.csv, 445.6 KB (text/comma-separated-values)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-01.pdf, 169.5 KB (PDF document)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-02.pdf, 119.9 KB (PDF document)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-03.pdf, 596.4 KB (PDF document)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-04.pdf, 290.2 KB (PDF document)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-05.pdf, 93.9 KB (PDF document)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-06.pdf, 152.2 KB (PDF document)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-07.pdf, 142.2 KB (PDF document)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-08.pdf, 114.0 KB (PDF document)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-09.pdf, 149.5 KB (PDF document)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-10.pdf, 254.3 KB (PDF document)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-11.pdf, 438.2 KB (PDF document)
- WRITTEN-RESPONSE-12.pdf, 771.3 KB (PDF document)
Overview
We are consulting on our proposals to increase charges and how we fund some of our regulatory services. You can find the full charging proposals below. Please read this before proceeding with the questions.
Our consultation questions ask you for your views on our proposals, both overall and by specific regulatory areas. We will use the feedback to inform our final proposals, which we intend to implement from April 2023, subject to Welsh Government approval.
There are several sections in this consultation. We would welcome your feedback on as many of these as you consider relevant to you, your business or your organisation.
Please fill in the sections headed About You and the General Questions before moving on to the regime specific sections. There is one final question for anything else that you would like to tell us.
We have set out our consultation so that you can respond to all areas, or focus on the areas which impact you the most. If you do not want to comment on a particular regime, you are able to move on to the next. There are no more than 3 questions per regime.
- Consultation on our regulatory fees and charges for 2023/2024
- Appendix 1 - Legislative powers to charge
- Appendix 2 - Proposed and current charges
- Appendix 3 - Installations (including intensive rearing of pigs and poultry), medium combustion plant and specified generators and non-nuclear radioactive substances
- Appendix 4 - Reservoirs
- Appendix 5 - Site-based waste management
- Appendix 6 - Species licensing
- Appendix 7 - Water quality
- Appendix 8 - Water resources
- Appendix 9 – No longer applicable (follow the link below to see the consultation questions)
- Appendix 10 - Glossary
- Appendix 11 - Annual subsistence charges for 2023/24
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any queries, please contact us by email at: sroc@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
What happens next
This consultation has now closed. NRW will use the feedback from the public consultation to inform our new charging schemes, which we intend to implement from 1 April 2023, subject to Ministerial approval.
Areas
- Aber Valley
- Aber-craf
- Aberaeron
- Aberaman North
- Aberaman South
- Aberavon
- Aberbargoed
- Abercarn
- Abercynon
- Aberdare East
- Aberdare West/Llwydcoed
- Aberdaron
- Aberdovey
- Aberdulais
- Abererch
- Abergele Pensarn
- Abergwili
- Aberkenfig
- Abermaw
- Aberporth
- Abersoch
- Abersychan
- Aberteifi/Cardigan-Mwldan
- Aberteifi/Cardigan-Rhyd-y-Fuwch
- Aberteifi/Cardigan-Teifi
- Abertillery
- Aberystwyth Bronglais
- Aberystwyth Canol/Central
- Aberystwyth Gogledd/North
- Aberystwyth Penparcau
- Aberystwyth Rheidol
- Acton
- Adamsdown
- Aethwy
- Allt-wen
- Allt-yr-yn
- Alway
- Ammanford
- Amroth
- Argoed
- Arllechwedd
- Aston
- Badminton
- Bagillt East
- Bagillt West
- Baglan
- Bala
- Banwy
- Bargoed
- Baruc
- Beaufort
- Beddau
- Bedlinog
- Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen
- Beechwood
- Beguildy
- Berriew
- Bethel
- Bettws
- Betws
- Betws yn Rhos
- Betws-y-Coed
- Beulah
- Bigyn
- Bishopston
- Blackmill
- Blackwood
- Blaen Hafren
- Blaenavon
- Blaengarw
- Blaengwrach
- Blaina
- Bodelwyddan
- Bontnewydd
- Bonymaen
- Borras Park
- Borth
- Botwnnog
- Bowydd and Rhiw
- Brackla
- Brithdir and Llanfachreth/Ganllwyd/Llanelltyd
- Briton Ferry East
- Briton Ferry West
- Bro Aberffraw
- Bro Rhosyr
- Bronington
- Bronllys
- Broughton North East
- Broughton South
- Brymbo
- Bryn
- Bryn and Cwmavon
- Bryn Cefn
- Bryn-coch North
- Bryn-coch South
- Bryn-crug/Llanfihangel
- Bryncethin
- Bryncoch
- Brynford
- Brynmawr
- Brynna
- Bryntirion, Laleston and Merthyr Mawr
- Brynwern
- Brynyffynnon
- Buckley Bistre East
- Buckley Bistre West
- Buckley Mountain
- Buckley Pentrobin
- Builth
- Burry Port
- Burton
- Butetown
- Buttrills
- Bwlch
- Bynea
- Cadnant
- Cadoc
- Cadoxton
- Caerau
- Caergwrle
- Caergybi
- Caerhun
- Caerleon
- Caersws
- Caerwent
- Caerwys
- Caldicot Castle
- Camrose
- Canolbarth Môn
- Canton
- Cantref
- Capel Dewi
- Capelulo
- Carew
- Carmarthen Town North
- Carmarthen Town South
- Carmarthen Town West
- Cartrefle
- Castle
- Castleland
- Cathays
- Cefn
- Cefn Cribwr
- Cefn Fforest
- Cefn Glas
- Cenarth
- Ceulanamaesmawr
- Chirk North
- Chirk South
- Church Village
- Churchstoke
- Cilcain
- Cilfynydd
- Cilgerran
- Ciliau Aeron
- Cilycwm
- Cimla
- Clydach
- Clydau
- Clynnog
- Cockett
- Coed Eva
- Coedffranc Central
- Coedffranc North
- Coedffranc West
- Coedpoeth
- Coity
- Colwyn
- Connah's Quay Central
- Connah's Quay Golftyn
- Connah's Quay South
- Connah's Quay Wepre
- Conwy
- Cornelly
- Cornerswell
- Corris/Mawddwy
- Corwen
- Court
- Cowbridge
- Coychurch Lower
- Craig-y-Don
- Creigiau/St. Fagans
- Criccieth
- Crickhowell
- Croesonen
- Croesyceiliog North
- Croesyceiliog South
- Crosskeys
- Crucorney
- Crumlin
- Crwst
- Crymych
- Crynant
- Cwm
- Cwm Clydach
- Cwm-twrch
- Cwm-y-Glo
- Cwmbach
- Cwmbwrla
- Cwmllynfell
- Cwmtillery
- Cwmyniscoy
- Cyfarthfa
- Cymmer
- Cyncoed
- Cynwyl Elfed
- Cynwyl Gaeo
- Dafen
- Darren Valley
- Deganwy
- Deiniol
- Deiniolen
- Denbigh Central
- Denbigh Lower
- Denbigh Upper/Henllan
- Devauden
- Dewi
- Dewstow
- Diffwys and Maenofferen
- Dinas Cross
- Dinas Powys
- Disserth and Trecoed
- Dixton with Osbaston
- Dolbenmaen
- Dolforwyn
- Dolgellau North
- Dolgellau South
- Dowlais
- Drybridge
- Dunvant
- Dyfan
- Dyffryn
- Dyffryn Ardudwy
- Dyffryn Ceiriog/Ceiriog Valley
- Dyserth
- East Williamston
- Ebbw Vale North
- Ebbw Vale South
- Efail-newydd/Buan
- Efenechtyd
- Eglwysbach
- Eirias
- Elli
- Ely
- Erddig
- Esclusham
- Ewloe
- Faenor
- Fairwater
- Fairwood
- Felin-fâch
- Felindre
- Felinfoel
- Ferndale
- Ffynnongroyw
- Fishguard North East
- Fishguard North West
- Flint Castle
- Flint Coleshill
- Flint Oakenholt
- Flint Trelawny
- Forden
- Gabalfa
- Gaer
- Garden Village
- Garnant
- Garth
- Gele
- Georgetown
- Gerlan
- Gibbonsdown
- Gilfach
- Gilfach Goch
- Glanamman
- Glantwymyn
- Glanymor
- Glasbury
- Glyder
- Glyn
- Glyncoch
- Glyncorrwg
- Glynneath
- Godre'r graig
- Goetre Fawr
- Gogarth
- Goodwick
- Gorseinon
- Gorslas
- Gower
- Gowerton
- Graig
- Grangetown
- Green Lane
- Greenfield
- Greenmeadow
- Gresford East and West
- Groeslon
- Grofield
- Gronant
- Grosvenor
- Guilsfield
- Gurnos
- Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen
- Gwenfro
- Gwernaffield
- Gwernyfed
- Gwernymynydd
- Gwersyllt East and South
- Gwersyllt North
- Gwersyllt West
- Gwynfi
- Halkyn
- Harlech
- Haverfordwest: Castle
- Haverfordwest: Garth
- Haverfordwest: Portfield
- Haverfordwest: Prendergast
- Haverfordwest: Priory
- Hawarden
- Hawthorn
- Hay
- Heath
- Hendre
- Hendy
- Hengoed
- Hermitage
- Higher Kinnerton
- Hirael
- Hirwaun
- Holt
- Holywell Central
- Holywell East
- Holywell West
- Hope
- Hundleton
- Illtyd
- Johnston
- Johnstown
- Kerry
- Kidwelly
- Kilgetty/Begelly
- Killay North
- Killay South
- Kingsbridge
- Kinmel Bay
- Knighton
- Lampeter
- Lampeter Velfrey
- Lamphey
- Landore
- Langstone
- Lansdown
- Larkfield
- Laugharne Township
- Leeswood
- Letterston
- Lisvane
- Liswerry
- Litchard
- Little Acton
- Llanaelhaearn
- Llanafanfawr
- Llanarmon-yn-Ial/Llandegla
- Llanarth
- Llanbadarn Fawr
- Llanbadarn Fawr-Padarn
- Llanbadarn Fawr-Sulien
- Llanbadoc
- Llanbedr
- Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd/Llangynhafal
- Llanbedrog
- Llanberis
- Llanboidy
- Llanbradach
- Llanbrynmair
- Llandaff
- Llandaff North
- Llanddarog
- Llandderfel
- Llanddulas
- Llandeilo
- Llandinam
- Llandough
- Llandovery
- Llandow/Ewenny
- Llandrillo
- Llandrillo yn Rhos
- Llandrindod East/Llandrindod West
- Llandrindod North
- Llandrindod South
- Llandrinio
- Llandybie
- Llandyfriog
- Llandyrnog
- Llandysilio
- Llandysilio-gogo
- Llandysul Town
- Llanegwad
- Llanelly Hill
- Llanelwedd
- Llanengan
- Llanfair Caereinion
- Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd/Gwyddelwern
- Llanfarian
- Llanfihangel
- Llanfihangel Aberbythych
- Llanfihangel Ystrad
- Llanfihangel-ar-Arth
- Llanfoist Fawr
- Llanfyllin
- Llanfynydd
- Llangadog
- Llangattock
- Llangeinor
- Llangeitho
- Llangeler
- Llangelynin
- Llangennech
- Llangernyw
- Llangewydd and Brynhyfryd
- Llangollen
- Llangollen Rural
- Llangors
- Llangunllo
- Llangunnor
- Llangwm
- Llangybi
- Llangybi Fawr
- Llangyfelach
- Llangyndeyrn
- Llangynidr
- Llangynwyd
- Llanharan
- Llanharry
- Llanhilleth
- Llanidloes
- Llanishen
- Llanllyfni
- Llannon
- Llanover
- Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant/Llansilin
- Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch
- Llanrhian
- Llanrhystyd
- Llanrug
- Llanrumney
- Llansamlet
- Llansanffraid
- Llansannan
- Llansantffraed
- Llansantffraid
- Llansteffan
- Llantarnam
- Llantilio Crossenny
- Llantrisant Town
- Llantwit Fardre
- Llantwit Major
- Llanuwchllyn
- Llanwddyn
- Llanwenarth Ultra
- Llanwenog
- Llanwern
- Llanwnda
- Llanwrtyd Wells
- Llanybydder
- Llanyrafon East and Ponthir
- Llanyrafon West
- Llanyre
- Llanystumdwy
- Llay
- Lledrod
- Lliedi
- Llifôn
- Lligwy
- Llwyn-y-pia
- Llwynhendy
- Llysfaen
- Lower Brynamman
- Lower Loughor
- Machynlleth
- Maenclochog
- Maerdy
- Maescar/Llywel
- Maesteg East
- Maesteg West
- Maesycwmmer
- Maesydre
- Malpas
- Mancot
- Manorbier
- Manordeilo and Salem
- Marchog
- Marchwiel
- Mardy
- Marford and Hoseley
- Margam
- Marl
- Marshfield
- Martletwy
- Mawr
- Mayals
- Meifod
- Melindwr
- Menai (Bangor)
- Menai (Caernarfon)
- Merlin's Bridge
- Merthyr Vale
- Milford: Central
- Milford: East
- Milford: Hakin
- Milford: Hubberston
- Milford: North
- Milford: West
- Mill
- Minera
- Mitchel Troy
- Mochdre
- Mold Broncoed
- Mold East
- Mold South
- Mold West
- Montgomery
- Morfa
- Morfa Nefyn
- Morgan Jones
- Moriah
- Morriston
- Mostyn
- Mountain Ash East
- Mountain Ash West
- Mynyddbach
- Nant-y-moel
- Nantmel
- Nantyglo
- Narberth
- Narberth Rural
- Neath East
- Neath North
- Neath South
- Nefyn
- Nelson
- New Brighton
- New Broughton
- New Inn
- New Quay
- New Tredegar
- Newbridge
- Newcastle
- Newport
- Newton
- Newtown Central
- Newtown East
- Newtown Llanllwchaiarn North
- Newtown Llanllwchaiarn West
- Newtown South
- Neyland: East
- Neyland: West
- Northop
- Northop Hall
- Nottage
- Offa
- Ogmore Vale
- Ogwen
- Old Radnor
- Oldcastle
- Onllwyn
- Overmonnow
- Overton
- Oystermouth
- Pandy
- Pant
- Pant-yr-afon/Penmaenan
- Panteg
- Park
- Peblig (Caernarfon)
- Pelenna
- Pembrey
- Pembroke Dock: Central
- Pembroke Dock: Llanion
- Pembroke Dock: Market
- Pembroke Dock: Pennar
- Pembroke: Monkton
- Pembroke: St. Mary North
- Pembroke: St. Mary South
- Pembroke: St. Michael
- Pen-parc
- Pen-y-fai
- Pen-y-graig
- Pen-y-waun
- Penally
- Penbryn
- Penclawdd
- Penderry
- Pendre
- Pengam
- Penisarwaun
- Penllergaer
- Penmaen
- Pennard
- Penprysg
- Penrhiwceiber
- Penrhyn
- Penrhyndeudraeth
- Pensarn
- Pentir
- Pentre
- Pentre Mawr
- Pentwyn
- Pentyrch
- Penycae
- Penycae and Ruabon South
- Penydarren
- Penyffordd
- Penygroes
- Penylan
- Penyrheol
- Peterston-super-Ely
- Pillgwenlly
- Plas Madoc
- Plasnewydd
- Plymouth
- Ponciau
- Pont-y-clun
- Pontamman
- Pontardawe
- Pontardulais
- Pontllanfraith
- Pontlottyn
- Pontnewydd
- Pontnewynydd
- Pontprennau/Old St. Mellons
- Pontyberem
- Pontycymmer
- Pontypool
- Pontypridd Town
- Port Talbot
- Porth
- Porthcawl East Central
- Porthcawl West Central
- Porthmadog East
- Porthmadog West
- Porthmadog-Tremadog
- Portskewett
- Prestatyn Central
- Prestatyn East
- Prestatyn Meliden
- Prestatyn North
- Prestatyn South West
- Presteigne
- Priory
- Pwllheli North
- Pwllheli South
- Pyle
- Quarter Bach
- Queensferry
- Queensway
- Radyr
- Raglan
- Rassau
- Resolven
- Rest Bay
- Rhayader
- Rhigos
- Rhiw
- Rhiwbina
- Rhiwcynon
- Rhondda
- Rhoose
- Rhos
- Rhosnesni
- Rhuddlan
- Rhydfelen Central/Ilan
- Rhyl East
- Rhyl South
- Rhyl South East
- Rhyl South West
- Rhyl West
- Ringland
- Risca East
- Risca West
- Riverside
- Rogerstone
- Rogiet
- Rossett
- Ruabon
- Rudbaxton
- Rumney
- Ruthin
- Saltney Mold Junction
- Saltney Stonebridge
- Sandfields East
- Sandfields West
- Sarn
- Saron
- Saundersfoot
- Scleddau
- Sealand
- Seiont
- Seiriol
- Seven Sisters
- Severn
- Shaftesbury
- Shirenewton
- Shotton East
- Shotton Higher
- Shotton West
- Sirhowy
- Six Bells
- Sketty
- Smithfield
- Snatchwood
- Solva
- Splott
- St. Arvans
- St. Asaph East
- St. Asaph West
- St. Athan
- St. Augustine's
- St. Bride's Major
- St. Cadocs and Penygarn
- St. Cattwg
- St. Christopher's
- St. Clears
- St. David Within
- St. David's
- St. Dials
- St. Dogmaels
- St. Ishmael
- St. Ishmael's
- St. James
- St. John
- St. Julians
- St. Kingsmark
- St. Martins
- St. Mary
- St. Mary's
- St. Thomas
- Stansty
- Stanwell
- Stow Hill
- Sully
- Swiss Valley
- Taffs Well
- Tai-bach
- Talbot Green
- Talgarth
- Talybolion
- Talybont-on-Usk
- Talysarn
- Tawe-Uchaf
- Teigl
- Tenby: North
- Tenby: South
- The Elms
- The Havens
- Thornwell
- Tirymynach
- Ton-teg
- Tonna
- Tonypandy
- Tonyrefail East
- Tonyrefail West
- Town
- Townhill
- Towyn
- Trallwng
- Trawsfynydd
- Trealaw
- Trebanos
- Tredegar Central and West
- Tredegar Park
- Trefeurig
- Trefnant
- Treforest
- Trefriw
- Tregaron
- Tregarth & Mynydd Llandygai
- Treharris
- Treherbert
- Trelawnyd and Gwaenysgor
- Trelech
- Trellech United
- Tremeirchion
- Treorchy
- Treuddyn
- Trevethin
- Trewern
- Trimsaran
- Troedyraur
- Trowbridge
- Tudno
- Tudweiliog
- Two Locks
- Twrcelyn
- Twyn Carno
- Tycroes
- Tyisha
- Tylorstown
- Tyn-y-nant
- Tywyn
- Uplands
- Upper Cwmbran
- Upper Loughor
- Usk
- Uwch Conwy
- Uwchaled
- Vaynor
- Victoria
- Wainfelin
- Waunfawr
- Welshpool Castle
- Welshpool Gungrog
- Welshpool Llanerchyddol
- Wenvoe
- West Cross
- West End
- Whitchurch and Tongwynlais
- Whitegate
- Whitford
- Whitland
- Wiston
- Wyesham
- Wynnstay
- Y Felinheli
- Ynys Gybi
- Ynysawdre
- Ynyscedwyn
- Ynysddu
- Ynyshir
- Ynysybwl
- Yscir
- Ystalyfera
- Ystrad
- Ystrad Mynach
- Ystradgynlais
- Ystwyth
Audiences
Interests
- Strategic review of charging
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