Structure and Contents of the plan The results of this consultation will be used to shape and inform the final plan - Cynllun Eryri. The structure of how we intend the final plan to look is set out below. Cynllun Basic Structure & Contents Foreword & Introduction Why we need a plan. Why is the plan needed Who the plan is for. How it has been produced. SA (Sustainability Appraisal), SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) & Habitat Regs Assessment. to and What Snowdonia Looks Like Now The current picture: Where are we now? Special qualities. What We Want Snowdonia to Look Like in the Future The long term vision: Where do we want to get to? How does this protect and promote the special qualities? How We’re Going to Get There Detailed Actions: What we need to do to achieve the long- term vision. 18 Cynllun Eryri: Consultation Document 2018 tion
Nature Conservation SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) covering 62,461 hectares SPAs (Special Protection Areas) covering 24,302 hectares 21 NNRs (National Nature Reserves) Covering 5,648 hectares Important species of Snowdonia Lesser Bat 25% of the UK population is found in Snowdonia This rare mammal’s name comes from its choice of habitat amongst coniferous forests Chough The rarest species of crow breeding in the UK Snowdon Lily nowhere else in Britain except for Snowdonia
Landscapes Snowdonia's landscape is unique. Its nine mountain ranges cover approxi- mately 52 percent of the park and include many peaks that are more than 3,000 feet (915m). Snowdonia is an incredibly varied landscape of steep river gorges, water- falls and green valleys. Oak, ash, rowan LANDMAP is a tool to help sustainable decision-making and natural resource planning at a range of levels from local to national whilst ensuring transparency in decision-making. LANDMAP maps and classifies landscapes and evaluates their importance at a local and national scale. and hazel woodlands are found scat- tered throughout the park - and the beautiful Dyfi, Mawddach and Dwyryd estuaries plus 23 miles of coastline and sandy beaches contribute to the overall diversity of the landscape. Snowdonia also has an incredibly rich historical landscape from the grand castle of Harlech to the ancient and dramatic hill top cairn of Bryn Cader Faner. Snowdonia has 13 areas of Land- scape of Special Historic Interest, 19 historic parks and gardens, 7,800 non-designated historic assets and 5,900 Registered Traditional Buildings! All these elements of the landscape that set Snowdonia apart are encapsu- lated in the Special Qualities on page 12 and 13. There are 47 RIGS (Regionally Important Geodiversity Sites) in the National Park. These are designated sites in order to: Provide protection for locally important geological sites Increase public awareness and understanding of rocks, fossils, minerals and landscapes Provide environment for people to learn about local geology 18% of the National Park is covered by woodland, equates to some 38,000 ha (12.5% of Welsh woodland cover) Native woodland now only equates to approximately 5% of the National Parks’ woodland cover Ancient Woodlands - 5,444 ha Ancient semi natural woodland - 3,854 ha Plantation on ancient woodland site - 3033 ha Restored Ancient woodland - 1986 ha 28 Cynllun Consultation Document 2018
Of the 153 out of 377 scheduled monuments visited within the National Park: had improved had remained stable had worsened In terms of monuments at risk within the National Park: were low risk were medium risk were high risk weren’t assessed Listed buildings The number and grading of listed buildings in The historic environment directly supports 19,000 jobs in 15% of the working population have some link to the heritage Conservation Areas 20% of all visitor spending in Wales comes from the historic environment Abergwyngregyn Llanllechid Nant Peris Snowdonia National Park is below. It is expected that the number of Grade 2 listed buildings will increase by 5 in the near future The fourteen Beddgelert Nantmor Dolbenmaen Betws y Coed Maentwrog Bala Grade 1 - 13 Grade 2* - 119 Grade 2 - 1,804 Total - 1,916 Conservation within the National Park are shown in the map. These are areas of special architectural or historic interest Harlech Cymmer Abbey Pandy’r Odyn Dolgellau Aberdyfi Snowdonia's rich historical landscape and architecture provides the inspiration for a huge number of historical groups, including branches of the 'Discovering Old Welsh Houses' group, who have done much detailed study on the sub medival 'Snowdonia Houses'. £3.9 million The grant support given by the National Park to repair listed buildings since 1990, with the majority of the work being carried out by local builders and architects. of the National Park’s listed buildings are at risk (category 1-3) According to CADW, "listed buildings are especially likely to be at risk when they are functionally redundant because their original purpose has come to an end. This may apply to former industrial and agricultural buildings or to some places of worship, for example. Many of these buildings may be capable of adaptation to a beneficial new use, but are likely to need more positive input. Equally, even listed buildings that could still be used for their original purposes may be in a poor condition and at risk. In such cases, poor condition could result from owners who are absent, or who cannot afford repairs. It may also reflect the conservation deficit (where the cost of repair is greater than the end value of the building)".
Challenges (Key Issues) and their potential impact for the next 5 years and beyond Opportunities in the current climate and their potential impact Proposed Way Forward How we and our partners propose to address key issues and capitalise on opportunities Protecting and enhancing the landscape The impact of green energy production on the landscape, historic environment, ecology, as well as the impacts of wa- ter abstraction and increased dispersal of invasive species. Via planning policy ensure that energy devel- opments are appropriately scaled. The negative impact of ation on Snowdonia’s land- scape and special qualities as a result of parking pressures, footpath erosion, organised events and inappropriate/ illegal recreational actives e.g. use of off-road motor- bikes and 4x4s/un-authorised camping. The incredibly diverse landscape of craggy moun- moorlands, forests, beaches, steep valleys and estuaries provides a valuable recreational resources and support a thriving tourism industry: Fishing rivers Forest for recreation in- cluding mountain biking Hill-walking Climbing Mountain-biking Road cycling and touring Local ‘place plans’ and ‘destination man- agement plans’ to manage the impacts of recreation that include: Sustainable solutions to parking problems such as better and more accessible information, improved public transport, clearer signs and seasonal overspill options. Tackle footpath erosion issues with for example increased recruitment and use of volunteers for basic maintenance work, upskilling of local contractor base for more complex work; prioritisation of access work on busier routes and encouraging alternative options to the traditional honey pot areas. Further development of relationship with North Wales Police and Rural Crimes unit, and off-roading groups to address illegal problems. Work with partners to gathered improved data on the off-roading problem across the Park. Continue to work with organisations and groups to develop effective solutions where recreational conflict exists e.g. The Snowdon Mountain Bike Group Potential for increase in large scale commercial forestry planting (with risk of land abandon- ment) could impact on special qualities of the National Park. Potential changes in the uplands post-Brexit could give opportunities for differ- ent ways of managing habitat and landscapes. Continue to work with partners to map areas where there is potential for expanding native woodland and linkages between woodlands through the use of wildlife corridors. Potential for improved mapping of ancient trees for example through citizen science projects. Continue to work with partners on devel- oping appropriate planting plans within the National Park.
Mental Health of adults in Gwynedd and Conwy report that they are being treated for mental health problems, compared with 12.1% for Wales North Wales admission for mental health disorders in young people is 30% higher than the rest of Wales What factors have a positive or negative impact on mental health? higher income and status good living environment generally good health education employment includes management, support, safety and management in the job activities such as socialising, working towards goals, training and taking part in activities community engagement and personal networks, strong community and social. altruism (doing things for others) unemployment lower income debt and violence social loneliness bullying stressful life events loss of autonomy unsuitable housing poor working environment Cynllun Eryri: Consultation Document 2018 49
38% jobs in the National Park linked to the environment isits to the tional Park’s stunning Thriving historic environment attracts visitors and accounts for generates billion a year 20% of all visitor spending visitors us Resilient Exposure to higher quality environments leads to more benefits Healthy ecosystems help provide clean drinking water Carbon storage in soil, peat and forests Managing uplands helps reduce flooding in lowlands Higher levels of physical activity Healthier More favourable heart rate, blood pressure, vitamin D levels, recuperation rates and cortisol levels Increased health Development of healthy Living in a greener environment reduces mortality Fetal growth & higher birth weights system Reduction in stress, fatigue, 40% less likely to be Reduction in asthma anxiety & depression Cynllun Eryri: Consultation Document 2018 51
A vibrant and influential culture A culture of poetry, language, art & music Snowdonia was home to Hedd Wyn, a famous poet who won the Eisteddfod Chair in 1917 having died in the First World War five weeks earlier. The chair was covered in a black cloth and is known as ‘Y Gadair Ddu’ - ‘The Black Chair’. Charles Darwin was deeply influenced by Snowdonia, he famously spent some time in Snowdonia which helped frame much of the Victorian scientist’s approach to his legendary sea voyage on The Beagle tell him (Sedwick) I have ceased to be thankful for that short tour in Wales Native and visiting artists alike have been inspired by the grandeur of Snowdonia over the centuries A Culture of volunteering In 2016 National Park and National Trust volunteers carried out days of volunteer work Heritage and Mountaineering In 2016 helped carry out projects to care for the National Park The first recorded climb of Snowdon was in 1798 by Victorian botanist Peter Williams and W. Bingley to look for Rare Alpine Plants Snowdonia was used as a training base for successive Everest expeditions. The 1953 Everest expedition signed their names on the ceiling of the Pen y Gwryd Hotel Cynllun Consultation Document 2018 53
How the proposed way forward can help contribute to the national well-being goals A prosper- ous National Park A resilient National Park A healthier National Park A more Na- tional Park A National Park of co- hesive com- munities A National Park of vibrant culture and thriving welsh language A globally responsible National Park Sustainable tourism makes an increasing economic contribution towards the local econo- my The natural and historic environment of Snowdonia support the economic and social resilience of local commu- nities nities are enabled to use their local envi- ronment to stay men- tally and physically healthy Recreational opportunities and greener transport are available for everyone There is excellent transport in- frastructure in the National Park con- necting local communities, supported by tourism Recreation op- portunities bring communities together. Visitors are encouraged to learn and under- stand the Welsh language and culture Snowdonia is leading the way in sustainable tourism Have we identified the main future challenges and opportunities in relation to tourism, recreation and culture in Snowdonia? Are you happy with our proposed way forward or do you have any ideas to add? Cynllun Eryri: Consultation Document 2018 61
Appendix 1: Relationship to other policies and plans European Commission SEA Directive - The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2004 Sustainability Appraisal & Strategic Environmental Assessment (1) Local Development Plan Land use planning within the National Park NPA strategies & action Corporate Plan Corporate Work Programme Recreation strategy Communications strategy of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 Sustainable development Local well-being plans via the Public Service Boards Environment (Wales) Act 2016 Sustainable management of natural resources. Area Statements: - Energy Wales: A low Carbon Transition -NRW Natural Resources Policy Government Act 2000 Community strategies Environment Act 1995 Section 62 Equality Act 2010 Equality Impact Assessment (2) Cynllun Eryri Delivery of statuatory provisions of the Environment Act 1995 in the geographic area of the National Park Regional strategies & statements plans Growth Vision for North Wales North Wales Joint Local transport plan and Moving North Wales Forward Destination Management Plans Programs Snowdonia Local Biodversity Action Plan Projects, protocols and agreements between NPA & Partners Corporate & strategies of partner organisations EU Habitats Directive Habitats Regs. Assessment (3) Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016 Cynllun Eryri: Consultation Document 2018 91