Natural Resources Wales announce consultation on new National Park
A 10-week public consultation period on proposals for a new National Park in Wales will run between the 7 October and 16 December 2024, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) announced today (Monday 23 September).
Welsh Government has commissioned NRW to assess the evidence and case for a new National Park and make a recommendation.
A study area (referred to as the Area of Search), 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.
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.
If a new National Park is established, then it must be able to manage the risks and take advantage of the opportunities available, for the betterment of nature, people, and communities.
We have amended the study area in response to local feedback and in the past year, appointed three separate independent consultants to help us develop the evidence that will inform our recommendation. As a result of this work, we now have Candidate Area map that we want to share with the public. We encourage anyone interested, to attend one of the events listed below and complete our questionnaire after viewing the summary of the evidence.
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.
Public drop-in events
| Date | Time | Location |
| Thursday 10 October | 3pm – 7pm | Parkfields Community Centre, Ash Grove, Mold CH7 1TB |
| Wednesday 16 October | 1pm – 7pm | Ceiriog Centre, New Rd, Glyn Ceiriog, Llangollen LL20 7HE |
| Monday 21 October | 3pm – 7pm | Llanrhaeadr Village Hall, Back Chapel Street, Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant Village SY10 0JY |
| Saturday 26 October | 10.30am – 4.30pm | Loggerheads Country Park, Ruthin Rd, Mold CH7 5LH |
| Friday 8 November | 3pm – 7pm | Wrexham Memorial Hall, Bodhyfryd, Wrexham LL12 7AG |
| Saturday 16 November | 10am – 4pm | Public Institute Committee, Park View/High St, Llanfyllin SY22 5AA |
| Saturday 30 November | 10am – 4pm | Kings Hall Community Centre, Kings' Ave, Prestatyn LL19 9AA |
| Tuesday 3 December | 3pm – 7pm | Cowshacc Centre (1st Clives Own Welshpool Scout Headquarters & Community Centre), Berriew Street, Welshpool SY21 7TE |
| Wednesday 4 December | 3pm – 7pm | Canolfan Ni, London Road, Corwen, Denbighshire LL21 0DP |
| Wednesday 10 December | 3pm – 7pm | Llangollen Town Hall, Castle St, Llangollen LL20 8NU |
Public online events
| Date | Time | Location |
| Monday 14 October | 6pm – 7:30pm | Microsoft Teams |
| Tuesday 12 November | 6pm – 7:30pm | |
| Thursday 12 December | 6pm – 7:30pm |
Targeted group events
| Date | Time | Target audience | Location |
| Monday 7 October | 6pm – 7.30pm | Elected Members | Microsoft Teams |
| Thursday 24 October | 6pm – 7.30pm | Recreation and Access Groups | |
| Wednesday 6 November | 2pm – 3.30pm | Environment and Heritage Groups | |
| Monday 18 November | 2pm – 3.30pm | Renewable Energy Sector | |
| Wednesday 20 November | 3pm – 7pm | Agricultural Sector and Landowners | Llysfasi College, Ruthin Road, Llysfasi, Ruthin LL15 2LB |
| Monday 25 November | 2pm – 3.30pm | Utilities | Microsoft Teams |
| Wednesday 27 November | 6pm – 7.30pm | Businesses and Tourism |
To find out more visit our project website. All consultation resources will be available via the project website from the 7 October 2024.