A Play Area For Townies?

There's a proposal to create a new Welsh National Park. The location would run from Prestatyn in the North-east, take in LLangollen and include Lake Vyrnwy in the South. This proposal has predictably generated a raging debate. The claim has been made that the park would be 'a play area for townies' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/10/new-national-park-wales-local-opposition). Supporters of the proposal, point to the importance of improving access to the countryside. Such access has mental and physical health benefits. Even 'townies' need such opportunities. The setting up of a National Park would, they say, also make it easier to protect this part of rural Wales. There's clearly a need to utilise our limited environment to help deal with climate change. Opponents of the National Park development, worry about increased traffic from Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester, disrupting their lives. They also express concern about outsiders purchasing second homes and Airbnbs in the newly attractive location. This could, they claim, make it impossible for their young locals to get on the housing market. Some opponents are even concerned about the restrictions placed on residents living in National Parks. Constructing new buildings and the setting up of new businesses is more tightly controlled. This one, as they say, is likely to 'run and run'. It should, however, be possible to solve, so long as the argument doesn't simply come down to 'us' against 'them'? National Parks need careful nurturing and rather better financial support.