Wales’s New National Park Proposal

Overview

Last updated on the 16 July 2025.

Visit Cynnig Parc Cenedlaethol Newydd Cymru to view this page in Welsh.

Latest updates: July 2025

• July 2025 Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Board Meeting outcome – On the 16 July 2025, the NRW Board carefully considered the designation criteria and the supporting evidence presented by officials. The Board has agreed that NRW should proceed to a Statutory Consultation on the proposal to designate a new National Park, including the defined boundary. The Statutory Consultation will take place during Autumn and Winter 2025. Exact dates will be confirmed. In the meantime, NRW will prepare the full suite of consultation materials, including the proposed National Park boundary map, supporting evidence, and guidance to ensure a clear and accessible process for all stakeholders. These materials will be published in full when the consultation opens, as part of a fair and transparent consultation process.
• Release of 2024 Public Consultation Report - NRW held a public consultation in the autumn of 2024 to which almost two thousand responded. Careful analysis of all of the comments, feedback and questionnaire submissions has been completed and the findings presented in the 2024 Public Consultation Report.
• Continuation of the statutory assessment - In parallel with and informed by the feedback received; the statutory assessment procedure has continued. Two advisory groups, including Local Authority representatives from all Authorities potentially affected, have continued to meet regularly.
• Studies - We shared a series of studies at the 2024 public consultation including reports that examined the ‘Special Qualities’ of the Area, the ‘Forces for Change’ affecting the special qualities. The ‘Management Options’ report that considered potential ways to help address the forces for change, and the ‘Evaluation Areas’ report that assessed exactly which areas meet the statutory designation criteria. These studies are all available to view.

Background

In its Programme for Government (2021-2026), Welsh Government set out its intention to designate a new National Park in Wales based on the existing Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape (Previously known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or ‘AONB’). Welsh Government then commissioned Natural Resources Wales, as the statutory adviser on landscape, to evaluate the case for the proposed new National Park. The assessment will take place within the existing Senedd term (2021-2026). 

NRW is independent and will make an evidence-based recommendation for the benefit of the people of Wales (both current and future generations). The assessment procedure will clarify if the statutory criteria for designation are satisfied and if designation is appropriate for the area.

If NRW considers that Designation is appropriate and desirable then a ‘Designation Order’ will be submitted to Welsh Government who will then decide to either confirm, refuse, or vary the Designation Order. If confirmed, a fourth Welsh National Park would be created.  The first new park since 1957 and the first to ever be created entirely in Wales and by Wales.

How can you get involved?

Over the last couple of years, we have offered a range of opportunities for you to share your views and feedback with us by holding an engagement period in 2023 and a public consultation in 2024. Your feedback has been invaluable and has played an important part in shaping our thinking and informing the assessments.

In 2023, we held a Public Engagement Period October – November 2023 on an initial map, referred to as the Area of Search Map.

More recently, we held a Public Consultation October – December 2024 on a proposed draft boundary, referred to as the Candidate Area Map.

In the autumn and winter of 2025, subject to NRW Board approval, we will hold a statutory consultation on a defined boundary.