Authority History

Snowdonia celebrated fifty years as a National Park in 2001. The history of Snowdonia National Park falls into three distinct periods. Between 1951 and 1974 it was very much a period of finding its feet, and it is fascinating to see how the work of the organisation developed over these early years, when it was especially important to gain the goodwill of the community and local organisations. Some objected to the word 'National' and others to the inclusion of non-elected members.

Economic development was a priority in the austere post-war era, and the decisions made in this period reflect those times. Young people back from the armed services became disillusioned and moved away. This was a time of great expansion in the motor and manufacturing industries in the Midlands.

The 1974 local government reorganisation presented an opportunity for change and the National Park became a department of Gwynedd County Council. This period was very much one of building on the work of the previous years and creating the infrastructure of the Park, with growing emphasis on recreational management. Many sites were bought and made into facilities for visitors and for the first time the Park now had its own Planning section and was able to regulate development.

In 1996, following the Edwards Report and the 1995 Environment Act, the Park became an independent Authority, and it now reports directly to the Welsh Assembly Government.

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