HISTORIC Ruthin will not be within the new North East Wales National Park boundary when the public consultation begins next month.
The decision has stunned campaigners who are now calling for people to make their feelings known to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) when the consultation opens on October 7.
If approved, the North East Wales National Park will be the first National Park established in Wales since the Brecon Beacons in 1957.
But according to a report compiled from the initial survey to determine the proposed boundary NRW deemed Ruthin did not reach the requirement for inclusion.
"The town includes a Conservation Area, 20th/21st century housing, commercial and industrial areas," said the report. "The open countryside sections of the Conservation Area at Ruthin Castle are included in the Area of Search.
"Only a small area of the town is of built conservation value and character. The Area of Search was therefore drawn to exclude the town."
That assessment was disputed by Ruthin's Deputy Mayor, Cllr Peter Daniels.
"We were surprised not to be included after the initial review period," he said.
"The submissions for Ruthin's inclusion seemed to fit perfectly with the remit of the National Park to support the protection and preservation of culture, heritage, wildlife and recreation.
"Ruthin is not only a town steeped in Welsh culture and the arts, but one of the prettiest and best preserved historic towns in Wales, we strongly believe that we deserve to be included in the National Park boundary."
In addition to Ruthin being excluded, NRW has also initially ruled out Denbigh Moors, the Vale of Clwyd and Llyn Brenig and the Clocaenog Forest.
The report stated that the tract of land between the moors and the proposed National Park area did not meet the natural beauty assessment criteria to a sufficient degree. Vale of Clwyd was left out due to the impact of developments in the west of the area.
But the decision to exclude Llyn Brenig and Clocaenog Forest has also proved contentious.
"There are pockets of important habitats and heritage in the vicinity of Llyn Brenig and opportunities for open-air recreation are available," said the report. "Major wind farm development within Clocaenog Forest however affects perceptions of landscape distinctiveness, scenic quality and tranquility.
"Whilst the area meets the Recreation assessment criteria, the Natural Beauty assessment criteria must first be met before it can be considered for potential inclusion within a National Park. This area will therefore not be taken forward for evaluation at the next project stage."
According to Cllr Daniels, Ruthin, Llyn Brenig, Clocaenog Forest and Ruthin all deserve inclusion to protect them and generate investment.
"Llyn Brenig and Llyn Alwen are fantastic locations for outdoor recreation and together with Clocaenog forest they are prime beauty spots and important areas for wildlife.
"They deserve to benefit from the protections and investment that National Park status would bring."
According to Cllr Daniels, access to additional funding and an increase in tourism activity that would significantly boost the local economy.
"Being situated within the National Park would have a number of benefits," he said. "For example, the preservation of Ruthin's historic buildings. Denbighshire County Council is currently taking a sensible and level-headed approach to planning in and around Ruthin but who knows if that will be the case in 20 or 30 years time?
"If Ruthin was within the National Park it would be shielded from those uncertainties.
"It would also unlock access to funding to support the visitor economy and invest in more of the cultural events that Ruthin is so well known for as well as leisure and conservation projects around LLyn Brenig and Clocaenog Forest.
"Our hope is that when the consultation formally opens next month people in and around Ruthin will take part and make their voices heard and perhaps we can persuade Natural Resources Wales to amend their boundary plans to include Ruthin."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here