MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet
Secretary for Climate Change & Rural Affairs: 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.
