THE new chairman of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority is the latest columnist to be joining The Brecon & Radnor Express.
Ed Evans, who is the director of a Cardiff civil engineering contractors firm, is in his last year on the authority after serving as a board member for seven years - two of which were as chair of planning. He will be writing an occasional column for The Brecon & Radnor Express, starting on Thursday, November 29.
Mr Evans says the authority has had clear direction from the Welsh Government and from environment minister Hannah Blythyn, which will help set his priorities for his term in office. He said: “One of my key considerations is ‘landscapes for all’ which is about getting a greater diversity of people coming to the park. It’s not about the people who already live here but the people coming to the parks.”
Mr Evans said the authority, which wants to encourage more visitors from the south Wales valleys, is also aiming to change the perception of the national park. He said: “National parks can be a bit of a marmite thing for a lot of people and I know there’s been a bit of bad press around it, yet it’s such a fantastic place.
“It’s been a challenge and have we been successful? No, we still have a long way to go, but I’ve enjoyed trying to get there.
“It’s still seen largely as a white middle class sort of pastime to enjoy it, and we need to change that.”
Mr Evans also wants to prioritise the health and well-being of national park residents as well as welcoming new businesses and helping them to prosper.