Minister minded to reject Glyndŵr National Park, with final decision still open

The Welsh Government is minded to reject the designation of Glyndŵr National Park in north-east Wales, but has opened a four-week period for further representations before making a final decision. Dafydd Trystan Davies, the cabinet minister for government effectiveness and the constitution, told the Senedd on 13 October that he was also minded not to proceed with a public local inquiry at this stage. If he confirms that position, no new national park would be established through this proposal at this time.

Why the minister is reconsidering

Natural Resources Wales concluded that the proposed park met the statutory tests for designation. Its board agreed in January to make the designation order, based on the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape. The minister said more than 400 responses followed during the notification period, reflecting support and opposition. All five local authorities in the relevant area objected. He cited questions about affordability, future funding, governance and effects on communities, housing and the Welsh language. An impact assessment prepared by officials estimates establishment costs of more than £11m, he told members. That is an estimated setup cost, rather than money already spent or an annual operating budget.

What happens next

People, businesses, community groups and representative organisations can submit additional evidence and arguments over four weeks. The minister said the Welsh Government would publish email and postal submission details, alongside evidence gathered during the designation process. Officials will analyse the responses before he reaches a final decision and publishes his reasons. Answering questions, he said he hoped to update the Senedd by Christmas or early in the new year. That was an intended timetable, not a fixed decision date. He argued that nature recovery, climate resilience and other objectives could be pursued through existing programmes and landscape partnerships without creating a new park authority.

Different responses in the Senedd

Vikki Howells criticised the statement as lacking ambition and questioned why further representations should replace the planned public inquiry. Adrian Mason welcomed the pause and called for clearer answers about costs, accountability and local effects before designation. The proposal remains unresolved. The minister’s provisional view reverses the direction of the inquiry announced in March, but does not itself amount to a final rejection of the designation order. NRW’s finding that the area qualifies for designation and the minister’s decision on whether to confirm it are separate stages.