Public inquiry over Glyndŵr National Park proposal

The Welsh Government has announced that it 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.

The Welsh Government said it is the "next step in progressing our Programme for Government commitment" to designate the new national park which would cover the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has completed what the Welsh Government describes as a "comprehensive" consultation process.

He said it provided insufficient information on governance, funding, and operational structures, leaving participants unable to make fully informed responses.

There was also no recorded input from the police, fire service, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, or Ambulance Service - raising concerns that public safety and infrastructure implications were not properly considered.

The proposal has also been met with opposition by Wrexham, Powys and Denbighshire county councils.

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change & Rural Affairs , said: "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.

"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 Welsh Government said its officials are 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.

Darren Millar, Clwyd West MS, said: "My support has always been conditional on two things. Firstly, that the boundaries of a new national park should be aligned with the existing Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“And secondly, that rather than establish a new expensive and bureaucratic National Park Authority, the Welsh Government should give local councils and councillors, who are directly accountable to those they serve, the responsibility for managing the National Park designation, as is currently the case for the AONB.

"Given the range of views which were expressed, both for and against the creation of a new National Park, during the consultation period, holding a public inquiry in my view is the right approach.

"It is crucial that all these views are properly considered. As I have always said,  we must ensure the proposal for a new national park works with, not against, the people who live and work in these communities."