Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has welcomed yesterday's announcement by the Welsh Government that there is to be a public local inquiry into the  Glyndŵr National Park proposal.

The Welsh Government plans to appoint Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) to hold the inquiry to consider the representations and objections made in connection with the creation of the new Glyndŵr National Park.

In September last year Natural Resources Wales (NRW) launched a 12-week statutory consultation period on the planned National Park, which will cover parts of rural Denbighshire and Gwynedd.

In his own response, Darren, who has always been in favour of the principle of establishing a new national park in North East Wales,  said he "could  not support the proposals which are currently on the table".

He stated: 

“My support has always been conditional on two things.

“Firstly, that the boundaries of a new national park should be aligned with the existing Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“And secondly, that rather than establish a new expensive and bureaucratic National Park Authority, the Welsh Government should give local councils and councillors, who are directly accountable to those they serve, the responsibility for managing the National Park designation, as is currently the case for the AONB." 

Welcoming the public local inquiry, he said:

"Given the range of views which were expressed, both for and against the creation of a new National Park, during the consultation period, holding a public inquiry in my view in the right approach.

"The proposal has been met with opposition by Wrexham, Powys and Denbighshire county councils, with concerns about funding and planning arrangements, as well as the impact on house prices, local services and the Welsh language, being raised.

"It is crucial that all these views are properly considered.  As I have always said,  we must ensure the proposal for a new national park works with, not against, the people who live and work in these communities."

ENDS