Located in north-east Wales, Glyndŵr is Britain’s proposed next national park, however some locals aren’t too happy about it.
Glyndŵr National Park could stretch from Prestatyn to northern Powys and is currently undergoing the consultation process.
The proposed area is home to Britain’s highest waterfall, Pistyll Rhaeadr, and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
There is even a Grade I castle in the suggested spot – Chirk Castle.
But it might not be a smooth approval, as residents are split on whether they want their local area to be a national park.
Surveys from 2023 and 2024 show a split in opinions, and the most recent one resulted in a 10 per cent majority supporting the plans, The Telegraph reports.
Tearoom owner Phill Facey raised concerns over dealing with overtourism and how busy the area can get.
He told the publication: ‘There are weekends where it is so busy. You come here on a Saturday and there’s nowhere to park. Imagine double that number.
Glyndŵr National Park could stretch from Prestatyn to northern Powys and is currently undergoing the consultation process
The proposed area is home to Britain’s highest waterfall, Pistyll Rhaeadr, and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
‘During lockdown, the road was gridlocked for more than four days.’
Plaid Cymru councillor Elwyn Vaughan notes that some 20 per cent of Wales is already national park.
He argued: ‘Before you know it, Wales will be one big national park. Is that what we want Wales to be? A play area for people to come away? Some of us will say not.’
The local also pointed out concerns of ‘townies’ gaining an unrealistic, ‘romantic notion’ of what a rural area is.
Elwyn emphasised there are issues like sustaining biodiversity in the area that are important to focus on, too.
In a different interview, he told the BBC how he worried national park status would cause ‘increased pressure on communities’.
He added that issues like it possibly impacting house prices were also raised since the proposals.
Meanwhile, others have been more positive about the area becoming a national park, including Ash Pearce from Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
Tearoom owner Phill Facey raised concerns over dealing with overtourism and how busy the area can get
He told the BBC: ‘We know change can be difficult but, with the right approach, a new national park could bring real benefits for people, wildlife and the local economy.
‘This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect nature, support communities, and shape a better future for this stunning part of Wales.’
Martin Murray, who is a member of the Dee Valley Environmental Network, explained how he thought tourism would ‘benefit’ the area.
He shared how his village has no primary school or pub and that the residents were ‘very upset’.
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Britain’s next national park could be in a little-known part of Wales – but locals aren’t happy