Diolch yn fawr, Deputy Presiding Officer. Two thousand and twenty two marks the fiftieth anniversary of plans being drawn up to designate the Cambrian mountains as Wales's first national park. Those plans were never implemented. So, today, here in the heart of democracy, the Welsh Parliament—the people of Wales’s Parliament—is debating a petition submitted by Celia Brazell, which was signed by over 20,000 people who hope that they will not have to wait another 50 years for their landscape, their habitats and their lifestyle to be acknowledged and protected. 

Deputy Presiding Officer, petition P-06-1302, 'Protect Mid-Wales’ unique Cambrian Mountains: designate them an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty', states, and I quote:

'The Cambrian Mountains: endless open skies, outstanding biodiversity, spectacular hills and valleys, 5,000 years' heritage of Welsh language, farming and mining. Their sense of immense space and peace is rare. Sadly, conservation of these uplands gets little attention. Farms are bought up for conifer planting or for large wind farms despite the lack of infrastructure. So beautiful a region needs protection and longer term rural employment. Designate the Cambrians as Mid-Wales’ first area of outstanding natural beauty.'

Members of the Chamber will be aware that Wales is currently home to four and a half areas of outstanding natural beauty: Anglesey, the Clwydian range and Dee valley, the Llŷn peninsula and Gower—all within Wales—plus the Wye valley area of outstanding natural beauty, which spans across England and Wales. We are also home to three national parks: the Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire coast and Snowdonia.

Under section 82 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Natural Resources Wales can designate any area in Wales that is not already a national park as an area of outstanding natural beauty, if the area is of such outstanding natural beauty that it should be conserved and enhanced.

Now, I know that the Minister responding to the debate has extended an invitation to the lead petitioner to meet with the Welsh Government officials and also NRW officers, I quote:

'to discuss some aspects of the proposal to designate in greater detail.'

Myself and committee members are very much looking forward to hearing of any progress made in that area.

Llywydd, the Welsh Government’s programme for government includes a commitment to designate a new national park to cover the Clwydian range and Dee valley, and I know the Member on the opposite side of the Chamber, Darren Millar, will be particularly pleased about the programme for government decision. I know that he's been a natural supporter and keen advocate at times, calling for things such as a national observatory for Wales, and who knows what Mr Millar might see in those dark skies? I know that he in particular has laid questions to this very Senedd about unidentified flying objects in his time as a Member.

Llywydd, I do understand, though, that this work being undertaken by Welsh Government officials and NRW will be focus of officers' time for the immediate short term. But beyond that, would it be possible to look again at the case for the Cambrian mountains?

The Minister has also written to the committee noting that NRW, and I quote again:

'has also committed to undertaking an all-Wales technical assessment of natural beauty. It is intended that this will assess areas against the natural beauty criteria which will help to assess their potential need for future protection.'

The Cambrian Mountains Society has put its back into this campaign, collecting tens of thousands of signatures at events across mid Wales. A group of campaigners came down to the Senedd to hand over the petition on 4 October, and I very much thank Luke Fletcher, Joel James and Russell George for receiving the petition on my behalf and meeting with campaigners.

Now, I know that there are other areas of Wales that have an interest in designating their landscapes, too. My colleague John Griffiths has championed the Gwent levels in recent years. There have been wider proposals to expand the Gower area of outstanding natural beauty, and also to consider Y Berwyn. But for today, because 20,000 people have asked us to, we, the Welsh Parliament, are debating a petition putting the question forward for the Cambrian mountains. As the petitioners say, this is an area that is home to a wide range of biodiversity: birds of prey, red squirrels, otters, pine martens, butterflies, dragonflies, ladybirds and 15 kinds of dung-beetle. It's also home to the people who live and work on the land, passionate people who have led an impressive campaign to give their part of Wales a voice and the status they believe it deserves.

They say, in winding up, Presiding Officer:

'Give the Cambrian Mountains prestige, AONB branding and coherent management and watch the region flourish'.

Diolch yn fawr.