Consultation on Proposed Fourth Welsh National Park Concludes on 75th Anniversary of Enabling Legislation

A public consultation is concluding, 75 years to the day since the legislation establishing national parks was enacted, potentially leading to the creation of a fourth national park in Wales. Members of the public have been invited to submit their opinions regarding proposals for a new park encompassing approximately 150 square miles across north-east Wales. The proposed area would extend from the vicinity of the coast near Prestatyn in Denbighshire, southwards into northern Powys. Nevertheless, the proposition has generated sharply divided opinions. “It’s beautiful as it is,” stated Trevor Bates, a Wrexham county councillor representing Dyffryn Ceiriog. Councillor Bates’s rural ward, spanning 36 square miles, would be encompassed by the proposed national park’s borders, a development he strongly objects to. “The people of Wales have access already,” he commented, adding, “Within that 36 sq miles we have one set of public toilets – where are they going to go to the toilet?” He further remarked, “We can’t build local homes because of phosphates, but we can encourage as many outsiders to come from Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.” Mr Bates contended that the millions of tourists drawn to the adjacent Eryri national park undermine assertions that such parks are beneficial for regional conservation. He elaborated, “How do you protect the environment from four million visitors in Snowdon – and their dogs? The environment is destroyed, the habitat is destroyed.” He concluded, “You can’t support conservation with so many visitors.” His sentiments are reflected in certain outcomes from an initial public engagement exercise conducted last year, which showed 51% of respondents supporting a new park, while 42% opposed it. Nearly 1,000 individuals participated, completing a comprehensive questionnaire to express their perspectives. Opponents of the park voiced apprehensions regarding the potential effects on local families residing and working in the region, the capacity of roads to manage an increased number of visitors, escalating property values, and the implications of prospective alterations to planning regulations. Conversely, proponents of a new park suggested it could safeguard rural localities, particularly against excessive development, concurrently enhancing the region’s profile. The legal framework for national parks was established through an Act of Parliament on 16 September 1949. This legislation resulted in the official designation of parks starting in 1951, with Eryri (then known as Snowdonia) being the first in Wales. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park was created in 1952, followed by Bannau Brycheiniog (then called the Brecon Beacons) in 1957. Additionally, there are 10 national parks in England and two in Scotland. Their roles are to: Data from National Parks UK indicates that Wales’ three existing parks draw over 12 million visitors annually, who collectively spend more than £1 billion. Each national park operates as an independent authority, responsible for overseeing matters including planning decisions. The primary funding for Wales’ national parks is provided by the Welsh government, amounting to just over £11 million for the three parks in 2024. “I’m all for it,” stated Martyn Holland, who serves as chairman of the Friends of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley. This region constitutes the majority of the proposed national park and currently holds the designation of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, now referred to as a National Landscape. “A national park would give us more protection for those people to enjoy the park as it would be and for future generations,” Mr Holland commented. He added, “I think there are going to be opportunities for everybody. Farmers can diversify – old barns converted into holiday lets is good business.” “Also, hospitality, pubs – a lot of our village pubs have disappeared over the last few years – and it would be nice to think those that are still here will survive, because of the extra footfall.” He concluded, “It would be nice to have a national park here in north-east Wales, and we’ve got a lot going for us.” The ongoing consultation is scheduled to conclude on Monday evening, after which Natural Resources Wales will review the submitted responses. Should the justification for a new park be established, a statutory consultation concerning its creation, including precise boundaries, is planned for later next year. The final decision on whether to proceed will rest with the Welsh government, which originally initiated this process in 2022. A government official commented, “Work is progressing well with Natural Resources Wales on the designation process for a proposed, new national park.” “We have tasked NRW with carrying out work – that will include a detailed assessment, consideration of the evidence, engagement and consultation – and this will inform a final decision on any new designation.”