About

Back in 2022, over 20,000 people signed a Senedd Petition to have the Cambrian Mountains officially designated as an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). They felt the protection was needed as a matter of urgency because suddenly these beautiful, windswept uplands were coming under pressure to yield up some tangible value for the local economy. 'Green energy' fever was sweeping the nation, and planners couldn't keep their eyes off the backbone of Wales, which has thus far relied on local appreciation and its sheer harsh remoteness to remain undisturbed.

The matter received the honour of an official debate in early 2023, full details of which can be reviewed here: 

https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/245150 . 

While most members were sympathetic, the upshot was that 'more local enthusiasm' for the idea of AONB status was required before the decision-makers could consider it further. Ironically, one member stated that using such a designation in order to protect the land from wind turbines was a 'misuse' of it!

Then in late January 2024, a letter landed on our doorstep detailing plans to install a windfarm all around Glaslyn Nature Reserve and inviting our views and suggestions, this to be submitted by the 7th of March! Having assumed such an area was so obviously off-limits to industrialisation, to then be given a meagre six weeks to assimilate and respond to this information was quite a shock. Local residents who had never even met, rallied together to oppose these plans. It has become obvious that personal love for the land is not going to hold much sway with the officials and financiers. However, there exist in Britain areas that are protected from the depredations of developers and businessmen and we are firmly convinced that Upland Wales should urgently receive such protection, such that the industrialists will save their money and expectations for somewhere else.

This is the inspiration for WILD WALES TRUST, hoping to unite the efforts of all concerned with protecting this land.