The meeting, which took place at Tyn Twll, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, near Llangollen, by kind permission of Jan Edwards and family, provided a forum for local NFU Cymru members to discuss the potential impacts of the existing Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) and surrounding area being designated as a new national park.

Broad concerns

Broad concerns were raised around the challenges of farming in a designated area and the additional barriers farmers may meet if the area was designated as a national park. These topics included worries about possible difficulties brought about due to changes to the planning process, public access concerns associated with a potential increase in visitor traffic and uncertainty about governance. Members also stated that they were worried about the impact that national park designation may have on the availability and affordability on housing for local families.

While members recognised that national park designation could bring a potential influx of tourists, doubts remain as to whether an increase in visitors will necessarily bring additional income to the area.

Impact on business

The Edwards family, who hosted the meeting, run a commercial game shoot that brings in vital additional income to the business, along with the rural community, and concerns were also raised about how designation could impact on the business.

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones, who attended the meeting, said: “We are still in the process of consulting with our members on the proposed creation of a national park to cover the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley and wider area. However, the discussions at this meeting highlighted a range of long held and legitimate concerns that have been raised by members in the area.

Working landscapes

“We must not forget that national parks are living, working landscapes. This area is home to a wide range of successful farming businesses, many of whom have played an integral part in shaping the landscape and countryside for which the area is already recognised, alongside producing food and driving economic prosperity in the area. Farming businesses are subject to a great deal of volatility, often beyond their control, and it is imperative, therefore, that these businesses can change and adapt and are not hamstrung by additional bureaucracy or red tape.

“While farmers understand that there is a fine balance between protection of the landscape, communities and business development within a protected landscape, our members want to see conditions that do not inhibit them from being productive, profitable and progressive, now and in the future.

“We are grateful to Llŷr Gruffydd MS for making the time to come and speak to our members today and ensure that their opinions on this important matter are heard in the Senedd.”

Llyr Gruffydd MS

Plaid Cymru Shadow Rural Affairs Spokesperson Llŷr Gruffydd said: “I have always been clear that the government must answer several important questions before they proceed with their proposal to create a new National Park in North East Wales. It won’t necessarily improve outcomes for wildlife, as there’s ample evidence that it’s not an environmental silver bullet. The government must therefore explain what it hopes to achieve with this proposal.

“Also, how will a new national park be funded? Is there additional money available in these difficult times or will existing national park budgets be top-sliced? Finally, what guarantees can the Minister give on investing in infrastructure to cope with the increased number of visitors? As welcome as an increase would be, we need better infrastructure to avoid repeating the serious problems witnessed in Eryri such as parking chaos, blocked roads and lack of public facilities.

“This was a valuable opportunity to hear the concerns of local residents and I thank NFU Cymru for the opportunity to discuss the proposals with those who will be directly affected.”