Tories snub national park over Brecon Beacons name change

TORY councillors have snubbed national park bosses who rebranded the Brecon Beacons from English to Welsh.

In a promotional video, Michael Sheen, the Hollywood actor born in Wales, announced the decision to use Bannau Brycheiniog, the Welsh name, to promote the national language.

However, campaigners feared that the move would put off tourists travelling to the beauty spot in Powys and would affect trade.

It has now sparked a row as Conservatives councillors refused to join the park authority, even though they are allowed one member on its committee.

The decision was made at a Powys county council meeting to decide which representatives will sit on different committees.

Iain Mcintosh, the Conservative group’s representative, resigned from the national park role earlier this month due to the name change.

Aled Davies, the Tory group council leader, said the national park authority will not have a representative from his party, explaining that the decision was made after the “terrible video” showing actor [Michael] Sheen making the announcement.

“Nobody will be appointed to the national park,” Mr Davies said.

“We’re very disappointed with Brecon Beacons National Park telling local people how to run their businesses, and also the terrible video that was produced a few weeks ago.

“On top of that, the political balance of the authority isn’t right, I’m afraid this needs to be sorted out very quickly.”

Powys is allowed to have six councillors on the authority with one each from Blaenau Gwent, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Torfaen.

A further six members are chosen by the Welsh Government to make up the national park’s 18-strong committee.

Gareth Ratcliffe, the national park deputy chairman, said: “The national park is politically balanced through this authority and the other councils which is set in statute.

“The comments that it’s not politically balanced are inaccurate.”

The five councillors that will represent Powys are two Liberal Democrats, one Labour and two Independents.

‘We are disappointed with the park telling people how to run businesses, and the terrible video’