A Welsh Government report into the Future Landscapes Wales has been slammed by the Alliance for Welsh Designated Landscapes.

The Alliance is Chaired by Professor Terry Marsden, who authored The Marsden Review, of which the Future Landscapes Working Group was set up to considered the recommendations.

In correspondence shown to the Assembly Member for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, the Alliance notes that they “are disappointed with the quality of the report, which is very poorly written and fails to provide clear and unambiguous recommendations.” [See attached.]

Janet said:

“This is a damning indictment of the Future Landscapes report, which has received criticism from a number of corners, including the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

“Of most serious concern is the lack of acknowledgment of National Parks as areas, primarily, of conservation. The Sandford Principle simply must be upheld.

“The potential threat to our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty posed by the Future Landscapes report could have serious knock-on effects for our natural habitats and conservation, as well as our tourism economy.