‘Critical’ conservation concerns omitted from Future Landscapes report

JFS

The startling omission of ‘crucial’ conservation principles in a report on the future of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONBs) has been criticised by Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders.

The report has drawn much concern from local residents, environmental bodies and voluntary organisations, such as the Snowdonia Society.

The Assembly Member, who represents a considerable part of Snowdonia National Park, has called on the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs to ‘make her position clear’ with regards to the importance of conservation as a purpose of National Parks and AONBs and commit to the long-established Sandford Principle which gives priority to conservation above all else [see notes].

Janet said:

“Conservation is a crucial part of the purpose of our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the fact that it doesn’t even get a mention in the main body of this report has caused great concern amongst many.

“We know that the State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR) found that no Welsh ecosystem contains all the necessary attributes of resilience, so I would have thought the Sandford Principle and the primacy of conservation should have been at the forefront of any recommendations relating to Designated Landscapes.

“I have called on the Welsh Government to commit to the Sandford Principle as a matter of priority, and will continue to monitor this closely.”

ENDS

Notes:

The National Assembly for Wales is debated the Future Landscape: Delivery for Wales report on Tuesday 6th June 2017: http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=401&MId=4294&Ver=4  

www.senedd.tv

The Sandford Principle states that “Where irreconcilable conflicts exist between conservation and public enjoyment, then conservation interest should take priority.”

The Assembly passed an amended motion on this report: http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=401&MId=4294&Ver=4 [Item 7]

Photo:

  • Janet Finch-Saunders AM at Fairy Falls, Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia National Park

Video link to speech:

Transcript of debate:

Record of Proceedings http://www.assembly.wales/en/bus-home/pages/rop.aspx?meetingid=4294&assembly=5&c=Record%20of%20Proceedings