06/07/2026

Former BBC Radio Wales Country Focus presenter Mel Doel OBE moves deeper into the communities who may find themselves near or inside a proposed new fourth Welsh National Park, gathering voices that reveal both affection for the landscape and unease about what designation might bring.

Mel meets conservationists restoring habitats and young rangers planting trees before visiting the Clawydian Range and Moel Famu. Her tour of the proposed new National Park takes her to a farm on the slopes of the mountain where she meets beef and sheep farmers.

In Llangollen, Mel hears how the town is overwhelmed with tourists for most of the year, she meets the Town Crier and travels on the famous steam railway where she chats to a trio of women heavily involved in the local community.

Along the way people tell Mel about their hopes and fears for a proposed National Park - from the protection it might bring for wildlife and economic growth to worries about too much traffic and the demand for houses and development. Others raise concerns that National Park designation could complicate planning, land management and the day‑to‑day running of businesses including farms.

On the sand dunes to the north of the proposed new park, Mel hears about rare birds who make their home in this area - and about the endangered natter jack toads who campaigners argue could benefit from the support a National Park would provide.

Throughout both programmes, Mel is interested to know if people really understand what a National Park is.

And ultimately with Wales already home to three National Parks, she wonders whether a fourth will be embraced or seen by some as a park too far.

Presented by Mel Doel
Produced by Ashley Byrne
An MIM Production for BBC Radio Wales