Welsh Government shelves plan for Glyndwr National Park

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 17:03 · Archive

The Welsh Government has shelved plans to create a new Glyndwr National Park in northeast Wales.

The Welsh Government has shelved the proposed Glyndwr National Park, which would have covered the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley in northeast Wales. Constitution Minister Dafydd Trystan Davies said he was 'minded not to confirm the designation order' and would not proceed with a public local inquiry at this stage. He added that this would mean no new national park would be established at this time. The decision is not yet final, and there will be a four-week period for representations before ministers reach a conclusion by Christmas.

The proposal had faced widespread opposition in the area. All five local councils within the proposed national park area objected to it. Concerns were raised over affordability and governance, impacts on housing and infrastructure, energy development, the Welsh language and effects on local communities. A regulatory impact assessment estimated establishment costs of more than £11 million, with ongoing operating costs beyond that.

However, the proposal also had significant support, with many believing the designation would bring major environmental and cultural benefits. Natural Resources Wales formally backed the designation in January 2026 after concluding the area met the statutory tests. More than 400 responses were received during the consultation process. The national park, named after the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales, had been included in Welsh Labour's manifesto for the 2021 election before being trimmed down from its original outline.

How it is being reported

• Minister minded to reject proposed Glyndwr National Park as final decision nearsWelsh ministers are minded to reject the proposed Glyndŵr National Park, with a final decision expected by Christmas.North Wales Chronicle · 13 Oct, 16:23
• Welsh Government dumps plan for new National Park in North WalesThe proposal had faced widespread opposition in the area and has now been shelved by the new Plaid Cymru governmentNorth Wales Live · 13 Oct, 15:18

In this story: Welsh Government · Dafydd Trystan Davies · Natural Resources Wales · Clwydian Range and Dee Valley · Denbighshire · Gwynedd · Flintshire · Powys

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