A 10-week public consultation period on proposals for a new National Park in Wales will run between the 7 October and 16 December 2024, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) announced yesterday (Monday 23 September).

Welsh Government has commissioned NRW to assess the evidence and case for a new National Park and make a recommendation.

A study area (referred to as the Area of Search), based on the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley ‘National Landscape’ was identified and shared during a public engagement period in late 2023. Following this, and a period of evidence gathering, NRW will now be consulting the public on the emerging proposal throughout the autumn and winter months.

The public consultation events will be an opportunity to learn more about the project and evidence gathered to date, ask questions of the team and share feedback on the draft boundary map referred to as the Candidate Area Map.

Ash Pearce, Programme Manager in NRW’s Designated Landscapes Programme team said:

“While we have a statutory procedure to follow, we want to ensure that this is an inclusive process and that people have the opportunity to share their views on the proposals.

“Early engagement has given us a much clearer picture of the issues, hopes and concerns of the local people and stakeholders. We have identified eleven themes that underline both risks and opportunities for the area. These reflect concerns about over tourism and the impact on housing, but also the hopes for better management, responsible access, conservation and nature’s recovery.

“If a new National Park is established, then it must be able to manage the risks and take advantage of the opportunities available, for the betterment of nature, people, and communities.”

“We have amended the study area in response to local feedback and in the past year, appointed three separate independent consultants to help us develop the evidence that will inform our recommendation. As a result of this work, we now have Candidate Area map that we want to share with the public. We encourage anyone interested, to attend one of the events listed below and complete our questionnaire after viewing the summary of the evidence.”

People are encouraged to either drop by at an in-person event or email the project team at designated.landscapes.programme@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk  to sign up to an online event. People will only need to attend one event as the information shared will be the same for each.

 

Public drop-in events


Thursday 10 October

3pm – 7pm

Parkfields Community Centre, Ash Grove, Mold CH7 1TB

Wednesday 16 October

1pm – 7pm

Ceiriog Centre, New Rd, Glyn Ceiriog, Llangollen LL20 7HE

Monday 21 October

3pm – 7pm

Llanrhaeadr Village Hall, Back Chapel Street, Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant Village SY10 0JY

Saturday 26 October

10.30am – 4.30pm

Loggerheads Country Park, Ruthin Rd, Mold CH7 5LH

Friday 8 November

3pm – 7pm

Wrexham Memorial Hall, Bodhyfryd, Wrexham LL12 7AG  

Saturday 16 November

10am – 4pm

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

Saturday 30 November

10am – 4pm

Kings Hall Community Centre, Kings' Ave, Prestatyn LL19 9AA

Tuesday 3 December

3pm – 7pm

Cowshacc Centre (1 st  Clives Own Welshpool Scout Headquarters & Community Centre), Berriew Street, Welshpool SY21 7TE

Wednesday 4 December

3pm – 7pm

Canolfan Ni, London Road, Corwen, Denbighshire LL21 0DP

Wednesday 10 December

3pm – 7pm

Llangollen Town Hall, Castle St, Llangollen LL20 8NU  

 

Public online events


Monday 14 October

6pm – 7:30pm

Microsoft Teams

Tuesday 12 November

6pm – 7:30pm

Thursday 12 December

6pm – 7:30pm

 

Targeted group events


Monday 7 October

6pm – 7.30pm

Elected Members

Microsoft Teams

Thursday 24 October

6pm – 7.30pm

Recreation and Access Groups

Wednesday 6 November

2pm – 3.30pm

Environment and Heritage Groups

Monday 18 November

2pm – 3.30pm

Renewable Energy Sector

Wednesday 20 November

3pm – 7pm

Agricultural Sector and Landowners

Llysfasi College, Ruthin Road, Llysfasi, Ruthin LL15 2LB  

Monday 25 November

2pm – 3.30pm

Utilities

Microsoft Teams

Wednesday 27 November

6pm – 7.30pm

Businesses and Tourism
 

To find out more visit our project website  <https://bit.ly/NewNationalParkProposalWales>. All consultation resources will be available via the project website from the 7 October 2024.