Taking forward Wales’ sustainable management of natural resources

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About this consultation

The consultation seeks views on new regulatory approaches to the sustainable management of natural resources in Wales. Proposals include:

  • promotion of the circular economy
  • nature-based solutions
  • new markets and innovative mechanisms
  • smarter regulation

Question 11‒

Designated Landscapes

Should the statutory purposes of AONB and National Parks be aligned with the sustainable management of natural resources?

Yes / ☐ / No / ☐x / Not sure / ☐

Comments

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We don’t think that aligning the statutory purposes of designated landscapes solely with the sustainable management of natural resources is the right way forward.
2014’s Marsden report got it right when it recommended three purposes for both National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Beauty:
• Conservation
• Human wellbeing
• Sustainable resource management (which means development through managing natural resources and cultural heritage)
The report said that when these principles conflict, the conservation purpose should always come first. This idea is known as the Sandford Principle, and it’s the best way to protect these special areas while also making good use of their resources.
Instead, the Future Landscapes Wales bill does away with the Sandford principle. Simply aligning the purposes with the sustainable management of natural resources without this final conservation safeguard is a weak and ill-defined proposal. It would remove clarity of purpose and leave our most precious landscapes with less protection.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has also said that under these proposals it would be impossible for the panel to continue to classify Wales’s National Parks and AONBs as protected areas. Internationally, we’d lose recognition of our National Parks.

Question 12‒

Where the special qualities of each designated area are identified, should this be given greater weight in decision making? In considering this, how should it be done in order to most effectively add value to the governance of those areas and the connection to local communities and businesses?

Yes / ☐x / No / ☐ / Not sure / ☐

Comments

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The Marsden report recommends strengthening up public bodies’ obligations. Instead of simply ‘having regard to’ an area’s purposes, it says they should ‘have a duty to contribute to the delivery of [those] purposes'. This stronger wording – with the conservation safeguard of the Sandford Principle in place and monitoring of how the relevant authorities fulfil those purposes – would give greater weight to each area’s special qualities in any decision-making process.

Question 13‒

Should legislation be introduced to recognise a wider range of areas and partnerships involved in driving the sustainable management of natural resources? What approach should be considered?

Yes / ☐ / No / ☐ / Not sure / ☐x

Comments

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It would be a real benefit to recognise more areas, but only in addition to the current National Park system. The Marsden report is right that the single purpose local authority model is working well for National Park management, and the Future Landscapes Wales report offers no evidence to the contrary.

Question 14‒

Are there any other aspects of the Future Landscapes: Delivering for Wales report where you believe a legislative provision is necessary?[1]If so, please explain which and why.

Yes / ☐ / No / ☐ / Not sure / ☐

Comments

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The report is neither clear enough, nor well enough evidenced to inform any new legislation.It has cherry-picked recommendations from Marsden where convenient, and misrepresented its findings on environmental protections.
That’s why the Welsh Government has lost the faith of many conservation bodies and those members of the public who care about Wales’ landscapes. The Welsh Government should go back to the Marsden report’s recommendations. They came from wider consultation, a more systematic evaluation and structured, logical reporting. It’s the right way forward for any new legislation on governing Wales’ designated landscapes.
Responses to consultations are likely to be made public, on the internet or in a report. If you would prefer your response to remain anonymous, please tick here: / ☐

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