New national park idea prompts concerns over planning

Plans for a new national park have caused "consternation" that it could scupper a council's development plans.

Glyndwr National Park could stretch from north-east Wales into the middle of the country, but Powys councillors expressed concerns that a new planning authority to accompany it could affect their Local Development Plan (LDP).

An LDP guides the future of land development and infrastructure, typically over a 15-year period, and a meeting heard the new planning authority would "trigger an automatic review" of it.

It has been estimated this could cost £2m, which was described as "somewhat wasteful".

Council leader Jake Berriman said the current LDP could be used while the new version is finalised.

The Liberal Democrat explained the new LDP had been delayed due to a number of reasons, including seeking a new site for Gypsies and travellers in Welshpool, as well as the issues around the national park.

"That's caused some consternation to us because we've invested a substantial amount of money there and a review, once we have a replacement in place, would be somewhat wasteful," he said.

All councillors should receive a briefing to update them on the situation soon, he added.

Powys council has been strongly against the creation of the national park proposal, which is being steered by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

However, less than a third (31%) of people who took part in the latest consultation on the idea are against it.

Earlier this month the NRW board agreed to make the designation order for the proposal, which allows people another chance to have their say until 15 February.

The NRW will then submit all information and evidence to the Welsh government to agree the next steps.

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