A DRAFT map shows what areas might be included as proposals for a new national park in North East Wales move forward.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) are inviting feedback on an initial 'Area of Search map' for the proposed new National Park. The engagement period will run from Monday, October 9 until 11.59pm on Monday, November 27.
The Area of Search shows the geographical limits within which NRW will be evaluating if the statutory criteria for a National Park are satisfied. The area includes a number of landscapes that in combination with the existing Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB have the potential to meet statutory landscape designation criteria.
The Area of Search is not the boundary of a proposed National Park and further refinement is likely as the process progresses.
Welsh Government has commissioned NRW, as the Designating Authority in Wales, to evaluate the case for a new National Park based on the existing Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The case for a new National Park will be considered within the existing Senedd term (2021-2026).
Ash Pearce, Project Manager, said: “We are engaging with local people and groups early in the project to ensure we can capture and understand all the issues and opportunities that relate to the proposed new National Park. We will consider and account for the feedback provided as we work through a series of technical assessments and prepare our informed recommendations.
"There will be a full public consultation on a proposed boundary in 2024.
"At this stage, we have identified an area to study and want to listen and understand the significant issues, opportunities and themes affecting the area.
"We warmly invite everyone interested in our work, to join us at one of a series of in-person and online engagement events over the next two months. Also most critically, to complete our questionnaire which will ensure that we can capture their feedback”.
The events will be an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions of the team and share feedback on an early map of the area being assessed.
People will only need to attend one event, be that online or in-person as the information shared will be the same for each event.
Engagement events for October and November 2023
Wednesday, October 11
*1pm – 7pm
In-person (drop-in)
Canolfan Ceiriog
New Rd, Glyn Ceiriog, Llangollen LL20 7HE
Thursday, October 19
6pm – 7.30pm
Online
via Microsoft Teams
Saturday, October 28
*10am – 4pm
In-person (drop-in)
Loggerheads Country Park, Ruthin Rd, Mold CH7 5LH
Monday, November 6
*1pm – 7pm
In-person (drop-in)
Public Institute Committee, Park View/High St, Llanfyllin SY22 5AA
Tuesday, November 14
6pm – 7.30pm
Online
via Microsoft Teams
Saturday, November 18
*10am – 4pm
In-person (drop-in)
Llangollen Town Hall
Castle St, Llangollen LL20 8NU
Wednesday, November 22
*1pm – 7pm
In-person (drop-in)
Trelanwyd Memorial Hall, The Record Journal, Trelawnyd LL18 6DN
*Drop-in at any time between these times.
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A questionnaire to capture feedback is now live on the project website.
People are encouraged to drop by at the in-person events, there is no need to book a place. If interested in taking part in one of the online events, email the project team at designated.landscapes.programme@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk with your name, state your interest (e.g. resident, community leader, landowner, farmer, business owner, organisation representative, etc) and which event you are interested in (the date). These will be bilingual events with simultaneous translation provided.
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