THERE needs to be "more clarity" on what happens to existing farmland and future house building prospects when developing a new National Park in Wales.

That is the message from Conservatives Shadow Climate Minister Janet Finch-Saunders who has commented on the "sheer size" on the new national park in North East Wales around the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is currently inviting feedback on an initial 'Area of Search map' for the proposed new park. The engagement period started on Monday, October 9 and will run until 11.59pm on Monday, November 27.

The Area of Search shows the park would take in a vast area and cut across Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham, Gwynedd and may reach right down to Powys. It could cover Vyrnwy and Banwys Valleys, Llanfyllin Valley and Hills, Lake Vyrnwy, Tanat Valley, Llansilin Valley and Hills, Berwyn, Ceiriog Valley and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB.

Mrs Finch-Saunders, also MS for Aberconwy, said: “The idea of a new National Park in Wales appears on the surface to be a positive one and could enhance tourism and boost the profile of the surrounding towns and villages.

“However, with the overall scale of the projected park, there needs to be more clarity on what happens to existing farmland and future house building prospects, with the outlined plans encompassing four counties, the local communities cannot be left short. Although we welcome the idea of a new national park, the sheer size of this project would create untold administrative costs and put burdens on the counties it encompasses.

“With so much uncertainty surrounding the project, I have submitted a topical question (on October 11) to seek clarity from the Welsh Government on the proposals.”

The Area of Search shows the geographical limits within which NRW will be evaluating if the statutory criteria for a National Park are satisfied. The area includes a number of landscapes that in combination with the existing Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB have the potential to meet statutory landscape designation criteria.

Areas that meet the criteria will move forward to candidate areas which inform the detailed boundary setting.

A consultation will be held on the proposed boundary and then after amendments are made, NRW will present their recommendation to Welsh Government and if there is sufficient evidence, submit a Designation Order.

If eventually confirmed by Welsh Government, a new National Park will be designated. 

The case for a new National Park will be considered within the existing Senedd term (2021-2026).

Ash Pearce, Project Manager, said: “We are engaging with local people and groups early in the project to ensure we can capture and understand all the issues and opportunities that relate to the proposed new National Park. We will consider and account for the feedback provided as we work through a series of technical assessments and prepare our informed recommendations.

"There will be a full public consultation on a proposed boundary in 2024.

"At this stage, we have identified an area to study and want to listen and understand the significant issues, opportunities and themes affecting the area.

"We warmly invite everyone interested in our work, to join us at one of a series of in-person and online engagement events over the next two months. Also most critically, to complete our questionnaire which will ensure that we can capture their feedback”.

The events will be an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions of the team and share feedback on the early map of the area being assessed.

Engagement events for October and November 2023

Thursday, October 19

6pm – 7.30pm

Online

via Microsoft Teams

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Saturday, October 28

*10am – 4pm

In-person (drop-in)

Loggerheads Country Park, Ruthin Rd, Mold CH7 5LH

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Monday, November 6

*1pm – 7pm

In-person (drop-in)

Public Institute Committee, Park View/High St, Llanfyllin SY22 5AA

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Tuesday, November 14

6pm – 7.30pm

Online

via Microsoft Teams

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Saturday, November 18

*10am – 4pm

In-person (drop-in)

Llangollen Town Hall

Castle St, Llangollen LL20 8NU

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Wednesday, November 22

*1pm – 7pm

In-person (drop-in)

Trelanwyd Memorial Hall, The Record Journal, Trelawnyd LL18 6DN

*Drop-in at any time between these times.

A questionnaire to capture feedback is now live on the project website.

Anyone interested in taking part in one of the online events dqn email the project team at designated.landscapes.programme@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk with their name, interest (e.g. resident, community leader, landowner, farmer, business owner, organisation representative, etc) and the event they are interested in (the date).

These will be bilingual events with simultaneous translation provided.