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Winter 2010/2011
breathing spaces newsletter of National Parks Wales National Parks Wales welcomed a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers on their Planning Services. The report highlighted “evidence of significant improvements over the past 18 months” and showed that the National Parks compare favourably with other rural planning services in Wales. The report identifies key areas for measuring success and shows that progress has been made in all areas. Specific attention is drawn to: (1) National Parks approve the same percentage of applications as other Local Planning Authorities (2) National Parks are performing better in some types of applications than a number of other rural Local Planning Authorities (3) National Parks have improved their preapplication support and information (4) There has been on average a 24% improvement across all three National Parks in the time it takes to process applications
Cllr Eric Saxon, Chairman of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, said on behalf of the three Welsh National Parks, “We welcome this report. This is a positive report which acknowledges the excellent improvement in performance made over the past 18 months. The report dispels the myth that National Parks are more likely to refuse a planning application than other Local Planning Authorities and acknowledges that we perform better in some type of applications. Particularly encouraging from my perspective is that PricewaterhouseCoopers have commended our governance arrangements and their report points to several examples of good practice.” Aneurin Phillips, Chief Executive of Snowdonia National Park Authority said, “PricewaterhouseCoopers has completed a challenging undertaking. This is groundbreaking work here in Wales. The report concludes that the Welsh National Parks are improving and that they are delivering their statutory purposes in a way that is positive and supportive.”
The report acknowledges that there are Dates for the Diary challenges ahead most notably the drop in the number of applications received as a result of 24 - 25 May : UK ANPA Workshop, York the economic downturn and the knock on 06 - 07 October : National Parks Wales Members effect on income. Semina (hosted by BBNPA)
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£300,000 to Improve Life in Snowdonia Cwrt y Gollen Public Inquiry starts in mid February Members of Snowdonia National Park Authority Members of Snowdonia National Park Authority were recently told of the CAE sustainable development fund’s success in contributing nearly £300,000 towards projects which will improve the quality of life in Snowdonia. During its 10th year of funding (between 2009 and 2010), CAE has supported 31 schemes, allocating £287,000 towards projects over the next three years, resulting in attracting over £3million from other sources. Money from the fund enabled the funding of 1 full-time job and 19 part-time jobs in the National Park and more than 41 indirect job opportunities. The fund also allowed over 330 volunteering opportunities for National Park residents and visitors. The 4 principles of sustainable development are •
Effective protection of the environment
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Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone;
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Prudent use of natural resources
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Maintenance of high & stable levels of economic growth & employment.
Introducing the report, Chief Executive of the Snowdonia National Park Authority, Aneurin Phillips said, “The CAE scheme, now in its eleventh year has and continues to make a substantial contribution to ensuring that sustainable development is an integral part of life in Snowdonia by promoting the area’s social, economic and environmental benefits.”
A Public Inquiry into the redevelopment of the former army camp at Cwrt y Gollen started on Tuesday 15th February 2011. The independent Public Inquiry will decide on whether planning permission should be granted for the re-development of the former army camp at Cwrt y Gollen for comprehensive mixed use. The mixed use development comprises residential development, employment provision, a pre-school nursery, a residential care home, open space provision including allotments, community orchard, sports provision and associated infrastructure works. In June 2010, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority refused to grant planning permission to Crickhowell Estates Ltd for the development. Crickhowell Estates Ltd have appealed the decision which will now be heard by an independent planning Inspector appointed by the Welsh Assembly Government. After hearing all the evidence, the Inspector will make a recommendation to the appropriate Welsh Assembly Government Minister. The Minister will then decide whether to refuse or permit the development.
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All change at Oriel y Parc Gallery Plans have been outlined for the future of the former café at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in St Davids. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which runs the attraction in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, has appointed R. K. Lucas to market the space occupied by the café which closed last month. The Park Authority hopes to see a business operating from Oriel y Parc by Easter 2011, and in the meantime is continuing to welcome visitors to the free-to-enter gallery and visitor centre. Tegryn Jones, the Chief Executive of the Park Authority, said: “R. K. Lucas will be taking submissions from interested parties, and we very much look forward to seeing what types of operation might be run from Oriel y Parc.
“We have already taken dozens of enquiries from local and national companies operating a variety of different services, so bids won’t be restricted only to catering. Oriel y Parc re-launched its exhibition, The Changing Landscape, with new exhibits from the National Collection, including Tenby Harbour, by world-renowned British artist Lucian Freud. © Yr artist.
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Fan Dance or Barn Dance? Whatever you do don’t forget your walking boots! Whether it’s the super tough Fan Dance SAS route, a concert on St David’s Day, a traditional Twmpath, a Paddle and Pedal event, a gentle stroll around Glanusk Estate or the singing and walking experience from Patricio Church to Llanthony Priory – it’s all happening at this year’s exciting Crickhowell Walking Festival which starts on Saturday 26th February. Now in its fourth year, the Crickhowell Walking Festival is offering more than 70 guided walks over nine of days in the Brecon Beacons National Park from Saturday 26th February to Sunday 6th March. Catering for all ages, abilities and interests, the beautiful walking terrain varies from short and level easy routes to tough exacting treks at high altitude. A full programme runs throughout the festival, providing weary walkers and non-walkers with relaxation and entertainment in the evenings as well as alternative day pursuits. This year, Kenton Cool, one of Britain’s leading climbers who led the Ranulph Fiennes’ Expedition to the summits of Eiger and Everest will give a fascinating insight into the life at the top!
Help to Improve Paths Volunteers were working hard in late November improving sections of footpath on Snowdon. Latest figures show an 18% increase of visitors on the footpaths of Snowdon compared to last year. As a result, the landscape is scarred and the natural beauty of the area is damaged. With the help of Snowdonia National Park Authority staff, Outdoor Education Students from Coleg Llandrillo and volunteers from the Snowdonia Society have been working to improve sections of the Miners and PYG Path. Rocks and loose gravel were removed and ditches were cleaned to improve drainage. On behalf of Snowdonia National Park Authority, Access Officer Peter Rutherford said, “Following the work that was completed last week, we have succeeded in achieving two important things. An important path for walkers has been defined and at the same time, the danger of erosion in some places has been minimised. We are very grateful to the volunteers from Coleg Llandrillo and the Snowdonia Society for their help. As an Authority, we are always eager to collaborate with volunteers and organizations to help us maintain the fabric and the character of the Park.”
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Councils convene for National Park National Park awards grant to support Green Valley woodlands conference Representatives from communities across the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park were given the floor during a question and answer session with Park Authority Officers at a recent seminar.
Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has awarded nearly £5,000 to The Green Valleys CiC to support its sustainable community woodland work and management schemes.
The Authority hosted a Seminar for City, Town and Community Councils at Pembrokeshire College in Haverfordwest.
The Green Valleys CiC has been awarded a Conservation and Community Grant of £4,446 which will be used to specifically develop its Sustainable Community Woodland group projects. The cash boost will be used for a number of initiatives including developing woodlands throughout the National Park and enabling Community Woodland Management groups across the area to undertake management of local woodlands.
Chairman of the Authority Richard Howells gave a welcome address before Chief Executive Tegryn Jones introduced the Authority’s recently launched draft Corporate Strategy. Attendees then discussed and fed back on the Strategy in smaller focus groups led by National Park staff; followed by a thought-provoking question and answer session. Groups focused on issues such as planning, recreation and community engagement. Authority Chairman Richard Howells said: “There are just over 50 City, Town and Community Councils in the National Park, representing the interests of more than 22,500 people.” “So this conference gave us a valuable opportunity to engage with people who may be directly affected by the Authority’s work and gave them a chance to air specific concerns about issues around the way the National Park is cared for.”
The funding will also help improve local biodiversity; generate a sustainable supply of locally produced wood fuel and sustainable timber products for crafts and building products; reconnect communities to the land through practical management; bring communities together in shared activity; promote health and well being through exercise and connection with the outdoors and share skills and increase the woodland skills base.
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History on School Walls
Pupils from Ysgol Nebo, Dyffryn Nantlle, together with artist Luned Rhys Parri, have been recording the local history of the area by creating murals to be placed on the School’s walls.
secured an end to the tradition. In time, the Cors y Llyn is Common Land, situated between marsh became a wild habitat and today a the village of Nebo and Llyn Cwm Dulyn and wealth of biodiversity can be found. over a period of six days, pupils aged between 3 Bwrlwm Eryri officer, Naomi Jones said, and 11 have been creating murals which include “Over the years, the history of Nebo and Cors y the history of Cors y Llyn, Dorothea Quarrymen Llyn has survived due to oral history and and the smallholders of Nebo. photographs and the work undertaken here is a continuation of this tradition. The Authority is very Many years ago, the smallholders of Nebo and happy to be a part of this process by providing local quarrymen used to bring their cattle to opportunities for the children and the residents to graze at Cors y Llyn, but the tradition declined learn and appreciate the history, culture and the when a cow bought a miscarrying disease to the biodiversity of the area.” marsh and the arrival of the Second World War
From Open Space to Cyber Space The presence of the National Parks on the Internet continues to grow. Most of the UK National Park Authorities, including all three Welsh NPAs are engaging with social networking and are raising the online presence of National Parks. If you want to read their profiles, pages, tweets and channels, which all provide continual up to date information. The National Parks Portal contains a comprehensive selection of appropriate links. That page is accessed via this website address : http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/aboutus/ourwebsites.htm
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Former CEO awarded OBE The former Chief Executive of the National Park Authority has been awarded an OBE for services to the environment, after 35 years at the helm. Nic Wheeler was appointed National Park Officer in 1974 and is the longest serving Chief Executive within the family of UK National Parks. Chief Executive of the National Park Authority Tegryn Jones, who took over from Nic in 2010, said: "This is a very fitting honour for a lifetime's contribution to the National Park and all of us at the Park Authority are delighted for him." Under Mr Wheeler’s direction, the National Park as an organisation grew from 29 people to a staff of 150, including part-time and seasonal workers. It evolved from a department of the former Dyfed County Council to become a free-standing authority in its own right.
You can learn about National Parks Wales at www.nationalparkswales.gov.uk. Most of our work, including www.nationalparkswales.gov.uk. seminar materials, consultation responses and position statements are available on the site and comments are always welcome nationalparkswales@anpa.gov.uk.