Key recommendations for protecting the future of the Welsh Language have been handed over in a report at the Welsh Assembly.

The culture, sport and language committee has signed off around 40 recommendations on a broad range of issues for developing the use of the language in public life and in the home.

The assembly culture committee will sign off the report

Started in May 2001, the review has prompted a growing consensus between the political parties, as its recommendations are seen as the best way ahead for Welsh in heartland communities and elsewhere.

Cydeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, the Welsh Language Society, said it was disappointed the review did not call for an updated Welsh Language Act - legislation giving the indigenous language equal status with English.

The points of the reportcovered range from economic development, housing and education to language planning and legislation.

The review was launched with four main objectives:

• Ensuring the normalisation of bilingualism in national life.
• Strengthening the language in the family and the community.
• Ensuring opportunities to learn the language.
• Ensuring a consensus and goodwill in favour of bilingualism.

Top of the list of recommendations is the expansion of education provision for pupils aged under five and making Welsh an integral part of the assembly government.

Planning permission

But one of the most controversial is likely to be a call for planning permission to be required before people can own a holiday home in certain areas where Welsh is prevalent.

Culture, Sport and Welsh Language Minister Jenny Randerson will now have to decide the extent to which the assembly government's policies on the language will need to change.

She said: "I shall be looking to make it quite clear what we will be doing as soon as possible.

"I shall be wanting to make a very clear statement of principle."

Her announcement is likely before August, but the specifics will have to await the next budgeting round, in the autumn.