In reply to Dave Williams:
A quick and very comprehensive response (pro forma?) from one of the Labour AMs. An interesting take on matters, suggesting that those who oppose have misunderstood and are clearly totally misguided:
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"To Dave Williams Today at 16:51
Dear Mr Williams,
Thank you for contacting me on this important subject.
I very much agree that Wales’ National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are of significant national importance and value. They are integral to Wales’ national identity and are recognised internationally as part of the global family of protected areas. We should all be proud that a quarter of Wales has been recognised for its outstanding natural beauty and is protected in this way.
These assets underpin Wales and Wales’s national wealth, are rightly described as national treasures and help to project Wales on the world stage. The distinctive landscapes, biodiversity and cultural heritage and historic environment they contain, remain vital and vibrant elements of the environmental, economic and social fabric of Wales.
There are tangible benefits from these areas of great natural beauty, and there are important advantages for the economy, health and wellbeing, the environment and the delivery of cultural services. Indeed, National Parks and AONBs have a valuable contribution to make to the green growth and natural resource management agenda.
The Welsh Labour Government is fully committed to the sustainable management of the three Welsh National Parks and five AONBs. Together, they cover around 25% of the land of wales.
The Welsh Government also recognises how important our natural environment is to the Welsh economy and to the wellbeing of the people of Wales. It wants designated areas in Wales to be thriving living landscapes containing vibrant, resilient communities with opportunities for outdoor recreation and rich ecosystems.
With regards to the Sandford principle, relates to the existing two duties of the National Parks to: conserve and enhance natural beauty and promote the enjoyment of the area.
When Lord Sandford undertook a review of the National Parks in 1974, the perceived threat to National Parks was from visitors and that this could lead to erosion and disturbance of nature etc. In this context the two purposes were seen as a set of potentially competing duties. Lord Sandford stated that should there be irreconcilable conflict, the conservation purpose takes primacy over promoting the enjoyment. This principle became enshrined in legislation in the Environment Act 1995. It has often been misrepresented as meaning that National Parks have a primary purpose for conservation and where the principle is a consideration in all decisions. This is not the case. The principle and its form in statute is limited to only a very narrow set of circumstances which rarely arise.
The Independent Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales report suggests exploring further aligning the aim of designation with the new Environment Act duty of sustainable management of natural resources. This would make increasing the resilience of ecosystems the central aim, with consequent benefits for wider social, economic and environmental well-being. The group which produced the report is also interested in refreshing and giving greater force to the special qualities of the existing areas and enabling new areas to come forward with their own proposals.
Inherent in this approach is a continued commitment to the value of these areas. This is why it recommended strengthening the status of special qualities in decision making which would extend any necessary safeguards beyond the limited scope of the current Sandford Principle.
Aligning the purpose of designation with sustainable management of natural resources, as proposed in the report, would remove any competing duties and so there would be no need for the Sandford Principle. The Welsh Government believes that we can move National Parks forward from narrow competing duties to something more integrated.
I will of course continue to do everything that I can to ensure that Wales’ much-loved National Parks and AONBs are in the best position to deliver the maximum benefits to Wales."
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The message would appear to be: Keep calm; all is well here in Wales .... In fact things are simply going to get even better.
So does 'sustainable management of existing resources' = more opportunities for zip lines; downhill MTB developments hand-in-hand with greater restrictions and more charges?
I've read the report in full. I have my opinion.