Public can find out about plans for new National Park

Two drop-in events are to be held in the Llangollen area by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as part of a 10-week public consultation period on plans for a new National Park in Wales, starting this week and ending in December.

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

A study area 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.

The two local drop-in events will take place at the Ceiriog Centre, New Road, LL20 7HE on Wednesday October 16, from 1-7pm, and at Llangollen Town Hall on Tuesday December 10, from 3-7pm.

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.”

* 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.