An update :

The proposed National Park in North East Wales now has a name – Glyndŵr.

That’s the name chosen (over Bryniau Clwyd a’r Berwyn) by public vote, from a shortlist drawn up by a range of public bodies including Visit Wales and Cadw.

In my opinion, it’s a cracking choice, being the name not only of one of the constituent areas, but also of course of our rebellious prince Owain.

We’re now into the final stage of public consultations – with the Statutory Consultation for the Draft Designation Order and the proposed map open and running for a 12 week period to 8th December.

There’ve been some alterations to the proposed area following the second consultation 12 months ago, with some boundary refinements around Llandrillo and Llanerfyl, the exclusion of a big chunk of Powys around Llanfyllin and Meifod, and the reinstatement of the Gronant and Talacre Dunes.

So the proposed area now stands at 927 km2 – less than half the size of Eryri (Wales largest NP) and smaller than Bannau Brycheiniog, but third in size ahead of Pembrokeshire.

What’s noticeable to me two weeks into this latest process, compared to the previous consultation stages, is how little comment there’s been on social media. That doesn’t necessarily mean that people are not engaging via the official channels of course, but other than on the day of the press release itself, there’s been next to nothing online – even from the sole Facebook group that opposes it. That’s in stark contrast, for example, to the fierce debate over the proposed NP for Dumfries & Galloway, which culminated in the Scottish Government dropping the plan. We’ll have to wait and see what it all means, but personally I’m hoping (for reasons outlined here) that any wrinkles have now been smoothed out, and that it’s on track to get final approval in early 2026, before May’s Senedd elections and an almost certain change of political control.

Fingers crossed!

There’s more info about the Statutory Consultation here :  Proposed Glyndŵr National Park (Designation) Order