North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has criticised the Welsh Government for failing to engage with farmers over its plans to turn the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty into a National Park.
In yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood asked the Minister for Climate Change what consultation has taken place with farmers in the area in relation to the proposals and was told that there had been none to date.
Questioning the Minister, Mr Isherwood said:
“After the Welsh Government announced its plans to turn the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty into a National Park, concern was raised with me by people whose living comes from the business of farming livestock and land within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
“What discussion and engagement did you therefore have with people whose living comes from the business of farming livestock and land within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty before making your announcement – and, if none, what plans do you have to engage with them now in order to establish and address the questions, needs and realities on the ground?”
The Minister replied: “What we've got here is an ambition, so what we need to do now is go through all of the processes necessary to see whether that ambition is an ambition shared with the people who live in the area that we would very much like to designate for the enhanced protection that that brings. But of course we will go through those consultation exercises carefully and make sure that we have as wide an engagement as possible with all of the people who live, work, play in the area that's encompassed by the area of the proposed national park. “
Speaking outside the meeting, Mr Isherwood said:
“Consultation after the event is yesterday’s way of doing things. Truly sustainable projects require effective community engagement before, during and after”.