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Plans are underway to establish the first new national park in Wales since 1957, centered around the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This proposed Glyndŵr National Park would encompass areas stretching from the coastal town of Prestatyn in Denbighshire to Nant-y-dugoed near Welshpool in Powys, covering notable landmarks such as Ceiriog Falls. The initiative, however, faces significant challenges after multiple local councils formally objected, prompting a public inquiry.
Supporters of the park emphasize that its future remains uncertain, particularly with the upcoming Senedd election adding further complexity to the decision-making process. The Welsh government underlines that national parks are intended to deliver substantial benefits both to the natural environment and to the public’s opportunity to experience it, stressing that the proposal deserves careful consideration. The inquiry, mandated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, will involve a planning inspector reviewing arguments before making recommendations to government ministers.
Currently, Wales is home to three national parks—Eryri (Snowdonia), Pembrokeshire Coast, and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)—out of the UK’s 15 in total. The last park designated across the UK was South Downs in 2010, and the first was the Peak District in 1951. Natural Resources Wales conducted an extensive evaluation of the proposed Glyndŵr National Park area from 2022 to 2025, at a cost of around £700,000 annually. Following this process, the organization’s board approved the designation order in January 2026, naming the park after Owain Glyndŵr, a notable historical figure and the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales.
Despite official backing, all five councils covering the proposed park’s boundaries expressed concerns. Powys council raised worries over increased pressures on rural communities without clear benefits, while Wrexham council highlighted the potential strain on local services and budgets due to expected visitor influx. Gwynedd council pointed to uncertainties regarding effects on the Welsh language and planning services. Due to these objections, the decision on the national park cannot be finalized before the Senedd election in May, leaving the matter to be determined by the incoming government
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