Council to reject plans for fourth national park

COUNCILLORS in Powys are set to formally object to plans for a new national park in northeast Wales after a neighbouring council did the same.

- ELGAN HEARN Local democracy reporter

The consultation on the proposed Glyndŵr National Park, overseen by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), concludes on Monday, December 8, and it is understood that councillors on Powys County Council, in whose area a portion of the proposed national park would lie, are not supportive of the current plans.

A Powys council meeting will be held on Thursday, December 4, where councillors will review a detailed objection report prepared by council leader Jake Berriman.

Should it go ahead, the national park would include a small portion of Powys. Current plans show it would extend from the coast in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, through Flintshire, Wrexham and northern Powys.

Approximately 46% of Denbighshire's land area and 13% of its population would fall within the proposed Glyndŵr National Park boundary. The proposed park would be the fourth in Wales and the first since 1957.

It is understood that those opposed to the plan are concerned about the impact on those living and working in the area, whether roads could cope with an influx of visitors, and rising house prices.

Yet despite unanimous opposition from councillors since the proposal's unveiling in 2023, results from last year's draft proposal consultation indicate this is a minority view across north Wales. Up to 52% of respondents said they supported the national park, with 44% against and 4% undecided.

Revised proposals in September showed that much of the potential park area in Powys has been removed. Initially Llanfyllin was intended to be the southern gateway for the park but the updated proposal excludes Llanfyllin, Meifod, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant and the surrounding area.