Landscape Protection
National Parks in Scotland and Wales
Wales
The National Assembly for Wales is now responsible for National Parks and AONBs in Wales, advised by the Countryside Council for Wales.
The Countryside Council for Wales describes the three national parks in Wales as "Some of the most beautiful and spectacular landscapes in Wales". There are three National Parks in Wales:
- Brecon Beacons (Designated - 1957)
- Pembrokeshire Coast (Designated - 1952)
- Snowdonia (Designated - 1951)
The Welsh national parks were established to protect beautiful and relatively wild countryside by:
- Reserving the characteristic beauty of the landscape;
- Providing access and facilities for public open-air enjoyment;
- Protecting wildlife, buildings and places of architectural and historic interest;
whilst allowing:
- sustainable farming to continue as before.
These aims are achieved by controls on development and providing incentives to favour beneficial ways of managing the land.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The main purpose of the AONB designation in Wales is to conserve and enhance natural beauty, taking into account the needs of agriculture, forestry and other rural industries and of the economic and social needs of local communities. Sustainable forms of social and economic development, which in themselves protect and improve the environment, are encouraged.
Responsibility for designating AONBs in Wales lies with their Countryside Council for Wales (CCW). The Secretary of State for Wales confirms proposals.
Information on the Welsh Parks is on the Countryside Council for Wales website.
National Parks in Scotland
Responsibility for National Parks in Scotland lies with the Scottish Parliament and Executive. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs was confirmed as Scotland's first National Park on 19 July 2002 and the Cairngorms was opened on 1 September 2003.
Page last modified:
19 December 2005
Page published: 5 February 2003