Snowdon Summit consultation disappoints
4 March 2002
The Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) has called on the Snowdonia National Park Authority to launch a full public consultation on the future of Snowdon Summit.
Snowdon Summit, the highest peak in Britain south of the Scottish Highlands and a national icon recognised the world over, is in urgent need of a makeover. Prince Charles once called the café at its summit, "the highest slum in Europe".
The Snowdonia National Park Authority is trying to raise £5 million to redevelop the café and summit area. Tomorrow (5 March) it is presenting its plan to the National Assembly for Wales (2) . But so far it has not looked at a range of options, other than replacing the existing facilities with a new café on the same site.
"Snowdon Summit deserves a long term solution, which is widely supported, and adequate funds must be raised for this", said Sylvia Davies, CNP’s Campaigns Officer. "We can’t afford to make the same mistake as the past generation which built the current building. A quick fix isn’t what’s needed for such a prominent and popular landmark".
"It’s vitally important that the future plans fulfil the National Park purposes of enhancing the natural beauty of the area and of promoting enjoyment of the special qualities associated with this special mountain".
"At the very least there should be a wide public debate on a range of options – and a full environmental assessment which takes into account impacts on this very sensitive area".
The plans are subject to public consultation, but the majority of people in Wales – and indeed Britain – are being kept in the dark about the plans and the process being followed. In three months of consultation, the National Park Authority has only presented its plans at two local villages and to Assembly Members. There is no recognisable "consultation document" and copies of the draft plans are only being made available by special request to the National Park Authority.
CNP’s Campaigns Officer Sylvia Davies added: "Snowdon is our common inheritance, and in looking to improve the summit, it is only right and proper that the nation has an opportunity to contribute to the plans. We are urging the National Park Authority to stimulate a genuine public debate on a wide range of options, rather than the current half-hearted consultation on just one favoured option."
Notes to editors
1 CNP is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.
2 The National Park Authority will be presenting its draft plans to Assembly Members at the National Assembly for Wales on 5 March 2002.
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