Gillespies chosen to evaluate candidate area for a new National Park in Wales

The Welsh Government has set out its intention to seek to designate a new National Park in Wales broadly based on the existing Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area National Landscape (AONB). This would be a fourth National Park for Wales, and the first new such park to be established in Wales since 1957. The decision on a National Park designation will be based on an assessment of factors that relate directly to natural beauty and opportunities afforded for open air recreation.

After a competitive tendering process, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have appointed a specialist team led by Gillespies’ landscape planners to assist the assessment and decision-making process. Combining desk-based research and field survey, the team will undertake detailed assessments to identify and recommend candidate areas for the National Park.

This evidence-based work will be framed within Welsh legislative and policy framework including the sustainable management of natural resources that considers aspects such as the wellbeing of future generations, nature recovery, climate adaptation and mitigation.

The team includes Countryscape who are national experts in mapping, landscape ecology and communications and Fiona Fyfe Associates who are one of the UK’s leading consultancies in assessment of protected and/or historic landscapes. With clients such as Natural England, the National Trust and National Park Authorities, the team has a portfolio of landscape design and planning expertise that is helping to shape responsible development and land management across North Wales, the UK and internationally.

For more information about the National Park proposal please visit: Natural Resources Wales / North East Wales National Park Designation

Image: Natural Resource Wales/ Simon Kitchin