Review of the National Park Autorities in Wales

LUC’s 2003 review of the National Park Authorities of Wales, for the Welsh Assembly Government, paralleled the review of the English National Park Authorities undertaken by Defra in 2002.

The Welsh review was conducted bilingually, drawing on evidence submitted to the review team through written consultation, a national seminar, on comments made during a wide range of meetings within the Parks, and on review of supporting literature.

The Welsh National Parks cover 20% of Wales but are home to only 2.9% of the Welsh population. They are the pinnacles in Welsh landscape quality and heartlands of Welsh culture. They are a vital economic resource for the country as a whole. Their contribution to the collective identity of the Nation is huge.

The review was guided by four objectives, tackled through 38 detailed questions and leading to 30 comprehensive recommendations covering early actions; administrative changes; guidance; and new legislation.

A future vision...

"The National Parks of Wales are landscapes of national importance that capture much of what is distinctive and special about rural Wales environmentally and culturally. They lie at the heart of the identity of rural Wales, both for Welsh people and the wider world. They have huge potential to enrich the lives of people in Wales and further afield, and contribute importantly to the economy of the Nation. They are cultural landscapes, moulded by their communities over millennia, where the interaction of people and place is central to their character..."