New National Park – How will it affect Tenant Farmers?

With the 10 week public consultation now over, the fate of Wales’ 4^th National Park is in the hands of the Welsh Government. The proposed area stretches from the coast of Prestatyn in Northeast Wales, down to northern parts of Powys. As someone who lives on a tenanted dairy farm within the proposed area, I was eager to learn more about how this might affect me and other tenant farmers living in the proposed area.

As a typical lawyer, I decided to start with the legislation; according to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, the legal purpose of a National Park is to:

• Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park; and
• Promote the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities by the public

As someone who is very proud to have been born and raised in an area with such strong cultural heritage and as someone who knows firsthand how beautiful the area is, it does seem like a good idea to put measures in place to preserve that. However, the world we live in today is very different to that of 1949. Is it realistic to achieve these goals, considering the evolving challenges we now face such as climate change, housing shortages, an increasing population and the cost-of-living crisis?

Those in favour of the new National Park believe that it would help protect and preserve the designated area from overdevelopment, as well as having a positive impact on the local economy. A new National Park would bring more people into the area to support the hospitality and tourism sectors, which would be beneficial to farmers who have diversified into holiday lets and farm shops etc.

Those opposing the new National Park have raised concerns about the impact on families living and working in the proposed area. The introduction of a National Park may encourage tourists to purchase second homes in the area, making it more difficult for young families and local people to purchase properties.   For farmers particularly, it could lead to further restrictions on how they are allowed to farm the land within the proposed area.  It will also likely have an impact on the ability to obtain planning permission, making it more difficult for farmers and businesses to expand and progress. This, in turn, could lead to an exodus of young people from our local communities in search of work elsewhere.   Many have also raised concerns about the increase in traffic and the additional financial strain that a National Park status would have on local authorities.

This certainly is a topic that has divided opinions. If the plans for the new National Park are implemented, my advice for farmers would be to make sure you identify any public rights of way on your land and make sure that you are familiar with your obligations in relation to those public rights of way, as the landowner.  Legal action may be taken against you if you do not comply with your responsibilities.

Written by Hannah Parry, Solicitor based in our Welshpool office.

Original article published in the TFA Cymru newsletter to their members. www.tfa.org.uk