The Independent Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales, commissioned by the Welsh Government, reported in the summer of 2015. This report made many recommendations covering proposals and observations on purposes, principles, vision, governance models, planning and funding. Following this report, a Future Landscapes Wales Working Group, chaired by Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, was established. Their purpose was to explore the Marsden recommendations and the case for change and to report their findings. The Working Group involved representatives of the national parks, AONBs, interest groups and businesses. Their ‘Future Landscapes: Delivering for Wales’ report has now been published – http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/consmanagement/review-designated-landscapes-wales/?lang=en.

Conservation groups are already criticising the report for its lack of clarity and for neglecting the primary conservation purpose of these designations. While there is reference to controversial topics such as tourism and renewable energy, the report is more concerned with matters such as governance, collaboration, monitoring change, sustainable land management and drawing on good practice.