Destruction of our national park areas. The Fairy Glen woods is a site of Special Scientific Interest, through which the hydro scheme’s pipeline will be laid. We must not allow these places to be torn appart by heavy machinery. 

If our National Park supports the scheme the wrong message will be broadcast; that our national parks are open for re-industrialisation and power generation. There is also the concerned that such schemes are solely for the profit of foreign investors and large landowners and ignore the interests of local people reliant on tourism for their living. 

Environmental damage & why we should value the Conwy’s ecosystem

The most seriously affected area of the Afon Conwy is also one of Wales’ most pristine and wild sections of river. Whilst other areas of the National Park are heavily managed, the “Fairy Glen” gorge remains wild and almost untouched. Modification of the river’s flow would mean an end to this wilderness status with a largely unknown impact on many indigenous species. The RWE’s proposed environmental safeguards are insufficient, with any modification in flow liable to affect natural sediment movement of the river. Construction work will damage an ancient woodland , and have a bad effect on local flora and fauna.

Snowdonia is an AONB of which the Afon Conwy is a significant part. The heavy construction work required for a project of this size will detract from the landscape, making the area less attractive for tourists, and has potentially wider consequences for local flora and fauna.

The fairly glen is also one of, if not the most important white water kayaking rivers in wales. This section of river has been one of the most popular runs since white water kayaking began. This is frequently the only place in Snowdonia, indeed in England and Wales, where kayakers can find sufficient flow to paddle white water of this quality and difficulty.

There are many, already developed, alternative sites that should be considered that would not cause such disruption to the surrounding enviroment. Lets Protect the wild and natural places we have left. is this not the purpose of national parks?