As Natural Resources Wales prepares to host a drop-in public consultation event on the proposed Glyndwr National Park at Llangollen Town Hall on Tuesday November 18, one of the area's county councillors, Karen Edwards, has given her views on the controversial plan to llanblogger. She says in a statement:
"The creation of a new National Park is not a good idea. So, what has stimulated the Welsh Government to suggest it?
"In 2021, in the Senedd, Mark Drakeford said, ‘We need to spread the load,' in response to the congestion and over-tourism experienced in other National Parks including Eryri. Would we like some of that visited upon us in Denbighshire?
"We need to dispel the myth that all tourism is good for the economy, because it isn’t.
"The Welsh Government isn’t very good at economics when it comes to doing economic impact assessments before it rolls out a new idea. It didn’t do it before the roll out of the 20mph speed limit and it hasn’t as far, as I know, done any tangible work to assess the economic costs and disbenefits associated with a new National Park.
"For example it would see the establishment of a two-planning-authority system. That idea was thrown out as inefficient in the 90’s when local government was re-organised. Are we expected to support this idea and hope for the best?
"There is a suggestion of stable long-term funding for a new National Park but this belies the fact that our existing parks have seen significant drops in their budgets in real terms in recent years.
"In fact, National Parks in Wales are widely considered underfunded with campaigners and officials warning that recent budget increases are insufficient to address years of real-terms cuts. Despite a recent 5% core grant increase, National Park Authorities face significant strain, leading to concerns about job losses, reduced services, and an inability to deliver on nature and climate goals.
"The reliance on short-term grants and project funding is also a concern, as it makes it difficult to retain skilled staff and plan for long-term projects. The lack of funding has an impact on the ability to deliver core services, conservation efforts and nature and climate restoration programmes.
"We need stable, long-term funding for this local authority first. It is an affront to our intelligence at a time when we cannot fund essential public services like libraries and public toilets to suggest that money can be found for a new National Park. This will increase the tax burden on all of us.
"The consideration of a new National Park should be deferred indefinitely until such time as the long-promised economic growth delivers adequate and stable funding to the authority and when the Welsh Government demonstrates its ability to give sufficient funding to its existing National Parks. Only then should we be asked to explore the viability of more cost to the public purse in creating a new National Park."
* The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) drop-in public consultation event at the Town Hall on November 18 runs from 4-7pm and they say that all are welcome.
NRW adds: "Drop by at an in-person event, come along to a public meeting, or email us at: designated.landscapes.programme@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk to sign up to an online event."
This announcement of an extra date follows criticism, reported by llanblogger, that no consultation event was to be held in Llangollen, which would be a key area within the proposed park.
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