Experts from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) UK Assessment Panel have issued a clear warning on the consequences of implementing Welsh Government’s ‘Future Landscapes; Delivering for Wales’ report.  They identify problems such as the omission of references to conservation as a basic purpose of National Parks, and the absence of any mention of the Sandford Principle, which provides an ultimate policy backstop for protection of the special qualities for which National Parks are designated.

“If acted upon, the recommendations in the Future Landscapes report would make it impossible for the panel to continue to accord international recognition to Wales’ National Parks and AONBs as protected areas”

UK Assessment Panel of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas
Read the IUCN panel’s report.

Snowdonia Society has for some time been critical of the ‘Future Landscapes’ report and the process which has produced it.   We will shortly circulate our views on the Welsh Government consultation on this subject, with pointers to how you can respond effectively.

See also this BBC article on the subject.