The wonderful news that Penrhos Nature Reserve has deservedly received a prestigious award for being the best park in the UK, has again raised the issue of whether anything can be done to save it from the developers.
It is a fair question which deserves to be answered.
But it 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 be answered by me as the MP for Ynys Môn.
Planning matters are the preserve of the local council - in this case Anglesey County Council - and the Welsh Government.
It has been suggested that I have been silent on the issue. I have not. Each correspondence I have received about Penrhos has been replied to and I have spoken about the park with many people and online.
Planning permission was granted way back in 2013 when - among others - three Plaid Cymru councillors voted to approve the application.
I am surprised that some Plaid members today are somehow trying to implicate me with the fate of the park when the fate was always in their hands.
It has come to my attention that a prominent member of the pro Welsh independence movement YesCymru has accused me of failing in my duty to protect the park.
Again, let’s be clear: it is not within my power to do so. It is, however, within the Senedd’s power.
They do not need any additional devolved powers to save Penrhos.
Rather than seeking to divide and confuse people over this issue, it would be far better to hold those who do have the responsibility to account.
Diolch yn fawr
