The campaign to designate a new National Park in Wales continues to gather pace following an exchange in the Assembly this week.

Darren Millar, Assembly for Clwyd West, is leading the campaign to see the Clwydian Range designated as Wales’s newest national park. This week in the Assembly he urged the Heritage Minister to work with Ministerial colleagues to give the Clwydian Range the recognition it deserves with National Park status.

Darren Millar said;

‘The Minister’s response was encouraging and he agreed to look at this issue.

‘I want to see the Clwydian Range designated as Wales’ newest National Park and my campaign has already gathered hundreds of supporters.

‘Not only would national park status give the Clwydian range the recognition it deserves, but the prestige associated with National Park status would be hugely beneficial for the local economy and give a much needed boost to tourism in the region.’ 

Extract of the National Assembly for Wales Record of Proceedings, 12th January 2011:

Darren Millar: Thank you for your response, Minister. As has already been said today, tourism makes up a significant proportion of the economy in north Wales. It is extremely important that it is not overlooked when it comes to opportunities to create new employment and see some additional investment in our country. I make a plea to you, Minister, to work with your colleague the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing on the issue of the Clwydian range area of outstanding natural beauty. I have received representations from my constituents, who wish to see this area designated as a national park. That would go a long way to encouraging people to visit the north-east of Wales and could provide a significant economic boon to many communities in my constituency and elsewhere. This year is the fortieth anniversary of the official opening of the Offa’s Dyke national trail, much of which goes through the Clwydian range. Will you take this opportunity to discuss that with your ministerial colleague in order to take this matter forward?

Minister for Heritage: You are right to say that tourism plays an important part in the economic life of north Wales. North Wales attracts more visitors and spend per year than any other region of Wales, with just over 3 million trips taken and nearly 12 million bed nights spent in the area. Visitor spend in the area is nearly 35 per cent of all tourism spend in Wales. With regard to the Clwydian range, I will talk, and have been talking, to my colleagues. I attended a symposium at Llysfasi recently, at which the Clwydian range and its attractions were discussed. It was a lively and informative afternoon. I have also set up a partnership group in north-east Wales to look at ways of improving the tourism offer, using the Pontcysyllte aqueduct and canal structures in that region, because of its world heritage status, as a gateway to north-east Wales. However, we need to link that into the other attractions in that area. A lot of work is ongoing. I recognise that this area has perhaps not had the profile of other areas in Wales in the past and we need to work on that.

Photo courtesy of Rob Dingle