National park could be created in Wales to join three others

Exactly 75 years after a law was passed to create national parks, a consultation will close which could pave the way for a fourth park in Wales.

The public have been asked to give their views on plans for a new park covering about 150 sq miles of north-east Wales.

It would stretch from near the coast close to Prestatyn in Denbighshire, down into northern Powys.

However, the proposal has split opinion down the middle.

“It’s beautiful as it is,” said Trevor Bates, a Wrexham county councillor for Dyffryn Ceiriog.

His rural ward covers 36 sq miles, and would be enveloped by the boundaries of a new national park – a move he bitterly opposes.

“The people of Wales have access already. Within that 36 sq miles we have one set of public toilets – where are they going to go to the toilet?” he said.

“We can’t build local homes because of phosphates, but we can encourage as many outsiders to come from Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.”

Mr Bates said the millions of visitors attracted to the neighbouring Eryri national park poured cold water over claims that it was good for conservation of the area.

“How do you protect the environment from four million visitors in Snowdon – and their dogs? The environment is destroyed, the habitat is destroyed. You can’t support conservation with so many visitors.”

His views are echoed in some of the findings of an initial public engagement exercise last year, with 51% of those asked in favour of a new park – but 42% against.

Almost 1,000 people took part, answering a detailed questionnaire about their views.

Those opposing a park raised concerns about the impacts on families living and working in the area, whether roads could cope with an influx of visitors, rising house prices, and how possible changes to planning rules might affect them.

However, those in favour of a new park said it could protect rural areas, especially from overdevelopment, while also bringing recognition to the region.

National parks were established in law by an Act of Parliament on 16 September, 1949.

It led to parks being officially designated from 1951 – with Eryri the first in Wales, then known as Snowdonia.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park was established in 1952, and Bannau Brycheiniog in 1957, then known as the Brecon Beacons.

There are a further 10 national parks in England, and two in Scotland.

Their roles are to:

• Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage
• Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of national parks by the public

According to National Parks UK, Wales’ three parks attract more than 12 million visitors a year, spending more than £1bn.

Each national park is its own authority, with oversight of matters such as planning decisions.

Core funding for the national parks in Wales comes from the Welsh government, with just over £11m for the three parks in 2024.

“I’m all for it,” said Martyn Holland, who is chairman of the Friends of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley.

The area makes up the vast majority of the proposed national park, and is already designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty – or a National Landscape, as it is now called.

“A national park would give us more protection for those people to enjoy the park as it would be and for future generations,” said Mr Holland.

“I think there are going to be opportunities for everybody. Farmers can diversify – old barns converted into holiday lets is good business.

“Also, hospitality, pubs – a lot of our village pubs have disappeared over the last few years – and it would be nice to think those that are still here will survive, because of the extra footfall.

“It would be nice to have a national park here in north-east Wales, and we’ve got a lot going for us.”

The current consultation ends on Monday evening, and responses will then be considered by Natural Resources Wales.

If the case is made for a new park, a statutory consultation on establishing a park – including exact boundaries – will be carried out later next year.

It will then be up to the Welsh government to decide if it wishes to proceed, after it initially kick-started the process back in 2022.

A government official added: “Work is progressing well with Natural Resources Wales on the designation process for a proposed, new national park.

“We have tasked NRW with carrying out work – that will include a detailed assessment, consideration of the evidence, engagement and consultation – and this will inform a final decision on any new designation.”