* Ken Skates MS (left) with Howard Sutcliffe, Denbighshire County Council’s AONB officer, at the new Wenffrwd Nature Reserve, near Llangollen.
Plans for a new National Park in North
East Wales have been welcomed by Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates.
The Welsh Government wants to make the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONB) the first new National Park in Wales since 1957, with
local member Mr Skates saying the move will help create
sustainable jobs.
The plan was one of a number of pledges
for North Wales in the Welsh Labour manifesto ahead of the Senedd elections in
May.
Mr Skates said: “There is a lot of
excitement about the Welsh Government’s plans to create a new National Park
right here in Clwyd South.
"As well
as a celebrating our area’s unique natural beauty, National Park status will
further boost tourism – an industry so vital to Clwyd South – and support the
green economy as we look to build on our proud record of being one of the most
environmentally friendly countries anywhere in the world.”
Mr Skates raised the issue in the Senedd recently,
with First Minister Mark Drakeford saying: “We will create a new
National Park for Wales – the first in over 50 years.
"National Park status
brings many benefits for agricultural communities, biodiversity and sustainable
tourism. Engagements with communities about protecting and enhancing the
special qualities of the area will be an important part of delivering this
commitment.”
Mr Skates this week met Howard Sutcliffe, Denbighshire County
Council’s AONB officer, to discuss the plans and visit the new Wenffrwd Nature
Reserve just outside Llangollen, which opened recently following significant
financial support from the Welsh Government.
Mr Sutcliffe said: “It was fantastic to welcome Ken to the newly
opened pocket park at Wenffrwd, which was an unused remote tip and has been
transformed into a new and exciting public park. I’m so pleased that the Welsh
Government is investing substantial funds into AONBs and National Parks in
Wales.”
Responding to concerns raised by
constituents, Mr Skates has also asked the Welsh Government for reassurances that opportunities
for local people to live and work in the National Park area will not be lost.
Minister for Climate Change, Julie
James, said: “I very much agree that National Park status should not be to the
detriment of local people. There are a number of steps we are already taking
across Wales to mitigate the issues you raise, and full consultations will be
part of those as the process unfolds.
“Social housing remains one of mine,
and this Government’s, key priorities. This continued commitment is reaffirmed
by the challenging target we have set to deliver 20,000 new low-carbon homes
for rent in the social sector.
“Our latest housing need estimates show
that in North Wales, under central estimates, 1,200 additional homes are
required each year. Of these, 47% of the estimated need is for market housing and
53% for affordable housing (intermediate rent or social). Our housing target
goes beyond this.
“We are also committed to exploring and
developing effective tax, planning and housing measures – which could include
local rates of Land Transaction Tax – to ensure the interests of local people
are protected.
“We are also acutely aware of the
growing issues in Wales relating to second homes and addressing these issues is
one of this Government’s priorities. We will shortly be considering a number of
measures, and it is anticipated this plan will be published in the autumn. We
will be announcing the plans to engage with communities about protecting and
enhancing the special qualities of this landscape in due course.”
