Funding uncertainty remains as Flintshire Council revisits North East Wales National Park proposal

Flintshire councillors are reconsidering their stance on a proposed National Park for North East Wales, calling for greater engagement in the consultation process while concerns over funding remain unresolved.

The proposal, initially rejected by the council’s Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet, is back under discussion following a motion submitted by Councillor David Healey.

The motion, set to be discussed during a full council meeting on Monday, 24 February, highlights potential benefits such as increased tourism revenue, job creation, and environmental projects.

It also urges the council to seek further details from the Welsh Government before making a final decision.

The motion follows new input from the Campaign for National Parks, which has issued a joint statement—backed by 18 organisations, including RSPB Cymru, WWF, and the National Trust—describing the park as an opportunity to support nature, climate resilience, and local communities.

It also refers to evidence that National Parks elsewhere have boosted local economies and created opportunities for rural areas.

A key area of interest is the potential for flood mitigation projects along the Dee and Alyn rivers.

Councillor Healey’s motion notes that similar schemes in other areas have created wetland habitats while reducing flood risks for downstream communities.

Flintshire Council is now expected to explore the feasibility of such initiatives with Natural Resources Wales.

However, the concerns that led to the council’s initial opposition to the park remain.

Cabinet members previously stated that uncertainties over funding, governance, and the economic impact on Flintshire made it difficult to support the plan.

The potential financial burden on the council, increased bureaucracy, and constraints on future development were all cited as reasons for caution.

There were also concerns that adding a new National Park could divert funding from existing parks, which are already under financial pressure.

To address these issues, the motion proposes that the council’s Chief Executive seek clarification from the Welsh Government on how the park would be funded and assess any financial implications for the council.

Councillors representing areas within the proposed park boundary are also being encouraged to identify potential projects that could benefit from National Park funding.

Councillor Simon Jones, who seconded the motion, said: “This is an opportunity for rural communities to explore what a National Park could offer. We need to be fully informed before making a decision.”