New National Park would 'build on all that's best' say campaigners

* Front cover of the report from the Campaign for National Parks and supporters.

The creation of a new National Park in North East Wales provides an important and timely opportunity to build on all that is best about the existing Designated Landscapes in Wales and maximise the benefits of designation.

That’s the message from the Campaign for National Parks in a new report focused on the new National Park plan for North East Wales which includes Llangollen.

It has been produced by the Campaign, which is a registered charity, in conjunction with the Alliance for Welsh Designated Landscapes and a range of supporters including the Friends of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley, North Wales Wildlife Trust, the National Trust, Ramblers Cymru, the World Wildlife Fund and the Royal Society for Protection of Birds.

The 27-page report says: “We believe that this new National Park, the first to be designated in Wales for over 60 years, should be an exemplar for nature, climate and people.

“This new National Park can build on the existing model of National Parks, whilst recognising the challenges of today and the opportunities to do some things differently that sets the standard for future designations.”

However, the report adds that delivering this ambition will only be possible if the right supporting framework is in place which supporters believe should include:

·    * Increased funding: A commitment to new and ongoing funding at a level which will enable the new National Park to achieve its full potential whilst ensuring that there are no detrimental impacts on the existing Designated Landscapes in Wales.

·    * Modernised governance arrangements which ensure that those involved in making decisions about the new National Park are representative of both the local population and the wider population of Wales and have the necessary skills.

·    * A single planning authority: A dedicated National Park Authority (NPA) with responsibility for both plan-making and planning decisions across the whole of the newly designated area.

·    * An emphasis on species recovery: A programme of support which focuses on reintroducing lost species and reversing the decline of vulnerable ones.

The report's narrative adds: “Whilst we recognise that some of the above will require legislative changes in the longer term, every effort should be made within the existing National Parks framework to achieve as much progress as possible without delaying this designation.

* The report is available on the Campaign for National Parks website here 

One of a series of special consultation events being held by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on the National Park proposals is planned for Llangollen Town Hall on December 10, from 3-7pm.