April 2026
Concern on Creation of National Park
The Welsh Government outlined plans in its 2021-2026 Programme for Government to designate a new National Park in north-east Wales, based on the existing Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape. If established, it would be Wales’ fourth National Park and the first since 1957. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is leading the evaluation process.
An initial Area of Search was shared in 2023. Public feedback was sought, and adjustments were made. The last consultation on the refined Candidate Area map ran during 2024. A further consultation began in September 2025, theese proposals asked for views on a new proposed area for a Glyndŵr National Park, which covers part of Powys, this ran until 8 December 2025. The consultation followed two years of evaluation commissioned by Welsh Government. There have been several public meetings that have been arranged, and I hope everyone who has views or concerns attended these public meetings.
I attended a packed public meeting in Llanrhaeadr YM Village Hall at the end of 2023, attended by over 250 people, and made my stance clear. Since the conception of the proposals, I have not been convinced that Montgomeryshire would benefit. Changes could adversely affect farm diversification efforts, limiting opportunities for rural businesses who are already under pressure. The overarching issue for me is that, despite a whole range of concerns and questions, no adequate assurances were provided.
The overwhelming message from those that attended the meeting was clear: the proposals to create a fourth National Park in Wales, to include an area of North Powys, are not welcome.
I am pleased this is also the view of Powys County Council having unanimously rejected the proposals at a Full Council meeting in December 2025, along with rejections from other Local Authorities affected by the proposals including Wrexham. These rejections have triggered a public inquiry, and the Welsh Government has now confirmed plans to appoint Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) to hold this public inquiry. It will allow all views, both for and against, to be properly examined before any decision is made. It is good that the Welsh Government has acknowledged there are valid concerns locally, and that creating a new National Park and a new National Park Authority would represent a significant change for the area.
A final decision will only be made after the public inquiry concludes. This means the current government cannot make a decision before May’s Senedd election, as it had hoped, and will be a matter for the next Welsh Government.
I remained opposed to the proposals.