Welsh Government Duck Decision to Back Glyndŵr National Park

Published: 13 October 2026

Today Welsh Government have failed to back a public local inquiry into the Glyndŵr National Park, ducking the decision and instead creating a narrow four-week window for further representation to be made to the Minister whilst clearly indicating their opposition to the National Park proposal.

Rose O’Neill, Chief Executive of Campaign for National Parks said: “Welsh Government has failed to show the leadership required to put National Parks at the heart of nature, the climate and their rural resilience agenda with today’s decision

The failure to back a public local inquiry at this time is a bitterly disappointing retreat from Wales’s National Park ambitions which demonstrates a telling lack of faith in the power and potential of Welsh National Parks from the new Government.”

Campaign for National Parks has requested meetings with Welsh Government to share the feeling of local community members and we will take every opportunity through the next four weeks to make the case for designation with those who are supportive on the decision locally.

Plaid Cymru have promised the “protection and restoration of nature-rich landscapes” and greater rural resilience, but this is no sign that they intend to do that.

We strongly believe that the Glyndŵr National Park could have been an exemplar for the UK, delivering more for nature, rural communities and future generations, and it was encouraging to see that the area met the criteria for designation, and that 67% of those consulted were in support of the proposal.

Plaid Cymru’s programme for Government talked of bolstering rural resilience, wellbeing and the “protection and restoration of nature-rich landscapes”, but on the evidence in front of us today, they have failed to offer a vision for the future which prioritises National Parks as critical nature infrastructure which can help the nation build climate resilience, recover nature, offer more opportunities to connect and engage with nature, and hold water in our great landscapes to defend against flooding and fire.

The Welsh Government have a final opportunity to listen to the existing powerful case for a National Park and demonstrate their commitment to protecting and preserving our great landscapes for future generations.