MP for Brecon and Radnorshire Fay Jones and County Councillor Iain McIntosh have expressed their opinions on Brecon Beacons National Park changing its name to Bannau Brycheiniog.

Park bosses have said the name change will help celebrate and promote the area's culture and heritage.

In response to the announcement, local MP Fay Jones said:"I have serious concerns about the way in which this situation has been handled by the National Park. 

"There seems to have been no public consultation about the effect the change would have on the local community, businesses and our way of life.

"Many people here in this community describe themselves as 'from the Brecon Beacons'. An unelected National Park Committee does not have the right to change this without consulting the people living within the park.

"There will also be an impact on tourism, the Brecon Beacons National Park is a world renowned destination with a strong brand and this move seems utterly counterproductive to their plans to continue to grow our tourism sector.

"It is clear that there are a number of decision makers whose priorities for the Park are not in the right place.

"Instead of tinkering with issues such as rebranding and attempting to pander to vocal campaign groups to appear to be more environmentally friendly, the park should be focusing on improving visitor experiences, protecting wildlife and ensuring the park is viable for the next generation."

National Park Authority Member and County Councillor Iain McIntosh said: “I’ll say the same as I said during another recent interview about the authority, they should spend less time changing things, or trying to figure out how they operate, and just get on with it!

"There should have been a consultation exercise within the park area, particularly involving stakeholders and businesses who use the Brecon Beacons National Park name, branding, and location within their organisations.

"Ultimately, this is a planning authority, its political balance is now very heavily balanced towards the left, and as there’s no opportunity for consultation with people who live and operate here, this does concern me.”

Love it or hate it? What do you think of the new name for the Brecon Beacons National Park?
It's great - I love it!
It's awful - it should have stayed as it was
I don't care either way
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