Written question WQ82717

The Welsh Government core funds the three National Park Authorities in Wales annually to deliver on their required functions. We have also provided them with an additional £3m funding in 2020/21 to address the impacts of COVID-19 and to take steps to prepare for the return of tourism. Part of the funding has been used to support recruitment of more front line staff, such as wardens. They play a vital role in positively engaging with visitors to influence behaviour, including the prevention of issues such as fly-camping, fly-tipping, littering and antisocial parking at popular beauty spots.

Camping without the landowner’s permission is illegal in Wales. Police forces and local authorities are taking a vigilant approach to those who break the law by fly-camping. Fly camping is a public health concern and it harms the environment. It has led to increased amounts of litter being left in sensitive rural locations that are not set up to deal with overnight stays. We ask everyone planning a camping trip in Wales over the summer period, to book with an accommodation provider ahead of visiting to avoid disappointment.

The Welsh Government has also made changes around temporary use of land for campsites. This means that landowners can legally operate a campsite without planning permission for 56 days. This will help absorb some of the many people looking to camp in our countryside this summer.

Through the Visit Wales Addo campaign we have asked people travelling around or visiting Wales to care for our land. Specifically we have delivered targeted messages asking people not to litter and to only camp in authorised sites. These campaign messages will continue to run on TV and on social media over the coming months. We are also providing resources to partner organisations to use in problematic areas, such as locations within National Parks.

Between 28 January and 22 April we consulted on our Litter and Fly-tipping Prevention Plan. We intend to publish the final plan this autumn. The proposed actions in the plan will help address some of the issues impacting the National Park Authorities.