The future management of Wales’ common land, coastline, seabed and natural assets is back in focus after the Welsh Government established a new expert group to consider reforming Crown estates.
The committee, which met for the first time this month, is tasked with investigating the way the Crown Estate is run in Wales, including governance, accountability and advocacy for devolution. The issue has gained momentum since all 22 local authorities in Wales backed devolution last year.
This debate has been shaped by developments in other parts of the UK. Scotland has been in control of royal estate income since devolution in 2017, but income from Welsh estate assets continues to flow to the UK Treasury and the monarchy rather than the Welsh Government.
Announcing the group’s establishment, Economic, Energy and Planning Secretary Rebecca Evans said its work would focus on ensuring Wales’ interests were at the heart of any future reforms.
He said the group reflected “our commitment to ensuring that the management and interests of the Crown Estate of Wales are fully aligned with the interests of the people of Wales”.
The panel will bring together experts from government, law, energy and local government and will be chaired by Nick Butler, founder of King’s College Policy Research Institute in London and former BP strategy director.
Other members include former Ofwat Wales director Gwenllian Roberts, planning and environmental law expert Gwion Lewis KC, former Welsh Government climate change director John Howells, Jones Day energy expert Michelle Davies, Scottish Government official Mike Palmer and Tim Peppin from the Welsh Local Government Association.
The group agreed terms of reference at its first meeting and began work over the coming months to examine the governance arrangements, economic impact and financial implications of devolution. It will also consider ways to strengthen accountability, including options for revenue allocation and enhanced reporting.
A Welsh Government memo confirms that Mr Palmer will initially take part in his role as a Scottish Government employee and then continue as an individual after he retires in March 2026.
The Crown Estate manages approximately 50,000 acres of land, as well as vast areas of Wales’ coastline and seabed. Calls for devolution of administration are supported by all Welsh parliaments, as well as the Independent Commission into Wales’ Constitutional Future.
However, the UK government has repeatedly rejected devolution, saying it would not be in Wales’ interests. Instead, Welsh Secretary of State Jo Stevens announced plans last year to appoint a commissioner to represent Welsh interests within the Crown Estate framework, a move critics say does not provide enough accountability. Appointments are not scheduled until next year.
