The Plaid Cymru government has shelved plans to create the first new national park in Wales in 60 years. Constitution and government effectiveness minister Dafydd Trystan Davies said he had reached a "provisional view" not to give government approval to the park, which would have been known as the Glyndŵr National Park.
Background and opposition
The park was proposed to cover the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley in north-east Wales, extending from the Denbighshire coastline to the A458 in north Powys. It would have been the first new national park in 60 years.
A public inquiry was ordered in March after councils raised concerns about funding and planning rules within the proposed park. The government, now led by Plaid Cymru, said the decision was not final.
Minister's provisional view
Mr Trystan Davies told the Senedd that after taking evidence, he had reached a "provisional view" not to give government approval to the park's creation. He said a "short opportunity" would be given to interested parties to make further representations.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had been asked to assess the need for a new park and said it met the statutory tests for designation. A designation order was submitted to ministers, and 400 responses followed, with many supporting and many opposing. Significant objections were raised by each of the five councils impacted.
Benefits and concerns
Potential benefits highlighted included nature recovery, strengthening climate resistance, landscape management, recreation, and sustainable tourism. However, "important questions" about affordability and money were also raised.
"Important questions have been raised throughout the process relating to affordability, funding requirements in the future, value for money, governance arrangements, and potential impacts on local communities," the minister said.
Mr Trystan Davies said he had three options: to confirm the designation order, confirm it with modifications, or reject it. He said he was "currently minded not to confirm the designation order" and not to proceed with a public local inquiry at this stage.
"Not confirming the designation order and not proceeding with a public local inquiry will mean that no new national park is established at this time. I do want to be clear with members, this is not a final decision," he told the Senedd.
While Reform UK welcomed the decision, Labour said it was "disappointing".
