Glyndŵr National Park designation order statutory notification period: summary of responses
In accordance with legal requirements, the making of the Glyndŵr National Park Designation Order triggered a 28‑day statutory notification period, which ran until 15 February 2026.
In this page
County Council Responses
The five Local Authorities with areas within the proposed National Park boundary were statutory consultees and each submitted a response, as summarised below:
| Local Authority | Summary of responses to the proposal | |
|---|---|---|
| Cyngor Gwynedd | Object | Negative impact on language, planning and Local Development Plan (LDP), funding, governance and boundary includes an area proposed as an AONB. |
| Denbighshire County Council | Object | Unable to support due to lack of clarity on funding, governance and planning. |
| Flintshire County Council | Object | Not support based on available information. Financial burden, additional bureaucracy and governance, impact on LDP, effectiveness of existing National Landscape (AONB), and constraint on growth. |
| Powys County Council | Object | Object to principle. NRW evidence, boundary and impact on infrastructure from increased numbers of visitors |
| Wrexham County Borough Council | Object | Cited funding, pressures on services and infrastructure from increased visitor numbers not covered by additional WG funding. |
Town and Community Council and other respondents
The Welsh Government received 429 other responses, mainly from individuals, but also from Town and Community Councils and other representative bodies such as farming unions. Although the responses were finely balanced, there was a slight majority in support of the proposal (54%) compared with those opposed to it (45%). Four respondents (0.9%) did not express a view or were unsure.
Responses received from community and town councils
The most frequently cited concerns related to the capacity of local infrastructure and public services to accommodate increased visitor numbers, together with concerns about overtourism and its effects on local communities. Town and Community Councils also raised concerns about housing affordability, potential impacts on Welsh language and culture, the cost and governance of a new National Park Authority, and the potential implications of additional planning and land management controls for farming businesses and rural communities.
Town and Community Councils who objected
- Cyngor Cymuned Llandderfel
- Cyngor Cynwyd
- Cyngor Llandrillo
- Llanfair Dyffryn Ceiriog Community Council
- Llangollen Rural Community Council
- Llangollen Town Council
- Llangynog Community Council
- Llanrhaeadr YM Community Council
- Llantysilio Community Council
- Penybontfawr Community Council
Town and Community Councils who supported
- Nannerch Community Council
Responses from organisations
Most of the representations have been made by individuals with an interest in the area, however, a number of other bodies have also responded including:
- Farming and land use sector, which raised concerns.
- Environment organisations, which were generally supportive.
- Tourism and recreation organisations, which were generally supportive.
- Minerals sector, which generally objected.
- Renewable energy sector, which raised concerns
- Mentrau Iaith Cymru supported the proposal in principle
Responses from individuals
Of the responses received, the majority came from people whose main home is within or adjacent to the proposed National Park boundary (319 responses). None of the responses indicated that they were from the owners of holiday homes within the proposed boundary, although some respondents did not provide sufficient information to determine their residence category.
Reasons for supporting or not supporting to the proposal
Main reasons given for not supporting
The principal reasons for not supporting the proposal related to concerns about public infrastructure impacts, such as pressure on roads, alongside issues regarding the management of tourism and funding of a new National Park. Respondents also raised concerns about potential housing impacts, the impact on local people and pressures on public services, while a significant number also highlighted issues relating to agriculture and land management.
Main reasons given for support
Commonly cited reasons for support included anticipated benefits for conservation efforts and landscape protection and wildlife protection. Respondents also highlighted potential improvements for locals, including the local economy, together with potential for increased funding opportunities, stronger culture and heritage protections and additional environmental safeguards.
Over 100 responses included a request to include Mynydd Mynyllod and the Upper Dee Valley area within the new National Park.
Summary
All five local authorities objected to the proposal, as did 10 of the 11 Town and Community Councils that responded. Responses from other representative bodies were more mixed and reflected the interests and perspectives of their respective sectors, while individual responses showed a slight overall majority in support of the proposal.
The key themes arising from the statutory notification were broadly consistent with those raised during earlier consultation process. In summary, these themes covered:
- Governance and funding arrangements.
- Planning and infrastructure resilience.
- Potential impacts on Welsh language, both positive and negative.
- Visitor management and recreation pressures.
- Housing affordability and boundary issues.
- Potential benefits for climate adaptation, nature recovery and access to the countryside.
23 September 2026