Written Statement: Inquiry to consider Designation Order for Glyndŵr National Park

Following the submission of a Designation Order by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), I am announcing today that the Welsh Government plans to appoint Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) to hold a public local inquiry to consider the representations and objections made in connection with the creation of the new Glyndŵr National Park. This is the next step in progressing our Programme for Government commitment to designate a new National Park to cover the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley. 

NRW has completed a comprehensive evaluation and assessment programme in preparing the Designation Order and is satisfied that the evidence collected demonstrates that the areas included within the proposed Glyndŵr National Park meet the statutory tests for designation. These statutory tests include the consideration of natural beauty and opportunities for open-air recreation. I am pleased that the extensive work that NRW has done has confirmed our original view that the beauty of the area merits special attention.

I have also considered a range of impact assessments that have examined the case for designating a new National Park.

During the recent statutory Notification Period in which the public were given the opportunity to make representations and objections in respect of the Designation Order, a range of views were expressed, both for and against the creation of a new National Park, including from the Local Authorities within its proposed boundaries. 

Consequently, in line with the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, a public local inquiry will be held to consider those representations and objections.

We know that National Parks deliver for Wales. The three existing National Parks attract around 12 million visitors annually and contribute approximately £1 billion to the Welsh economy. National Parks are strategic national assets and play a vital role in:

• Protecting landscapes and biodiversity;
• Supporting sustainable farming and conservation through collaborative schemes such as Ffermio Bro;
• Driving sustainable tourism and visitor management, which benefit local jobs and economies.

Equally, I understand the concerns and reservations that Local Authorities and other stakeholders have about the establishment of a new National Park and new National Park Authority. It is a big change – deliberately so, as it is designed to have a significant positive impact on our natural environment and people’s ability to enjoy it. Consequently, it is right that these issues are considered very carefully. 

The public local inquiry will enable this consideration to take place.

The designation of a new National Park is a Programme for Government commitment, and I would like to thank NRW for the work they have undertaken to enable us to reach this important milestone.

I have now asked my officials to begin work on establishing the public local inquiry, including preparing its terms of reference, processes and procedures and taking steps to identify an appropriate person with the expertise and capacity to run that inquiry.