COLUMN: “Wrong idea, wrong place and wrong time!”

Plaid Cymru Powys councillor Elwyn Vaughan shares his views on controversial proposals for a National Park...

"Residents at Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant have stated clearly NO to a new National Park. 

Welsh Government has commissioned Natural Resources 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).

However, the proposed boundary of the National Park has been extended South to the A458 and the Banwy Valley and a large part of Powys. The case for a new National Park will be considered within the existing Senedd term (2021-2026).

Some say reasons for having a new national Park are:

• Helps biodiversity – yet recent studies have shown that the existence of a national Park makes no difference to the biodiversity of the area. An AONB status area or non-status area is as good as a national park area.
• Some think it may stop pylons, yet a row of them existed from Trawsfynydd in the heart of Eryri National Park to Porthmadog crossing Dwyryd estuary.
• That it may help sort congestion problems. Yet tell that to the residents of Llanbedr, Llanberis, Beddgelert and Nant Ffrancon in Eryri!

What it will do is:

·      cost circa £6m a year – at time Powys will need save £50m in coming years

·      Increase the costs of housing 22% above average according to the Nationwide and even 5% dearer in surrounding area

The existing National Parks have had cuts of 42% already. The creation of an extra local authority will draw from the same ever diminishing pot of money and exasperate the situation. NRW is cutting 250 posts, closing visitor centres, and can’t undertake essential environmental work – surely wouldn’t it be better to give the £6m a year to clean our rivers and get proper environmental benefits?

Our schools’ budgets are cut to the bone, more schools are set to close, leisure centres are under threat - having a new authority now is not sustainable. 

If we have £6m to invest then better to invest in economic development, promote enterprise, support innovative ideas by our young people, add value to food and drink and environmental goods and services thus creating vibrant rural communities and incorporate the best values of a National Park in the new Local Development Plan.

It’s the wrong idea, in wrong place at the wrong time.”