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| Inquiry call over Army training | Inquiry call over Army training |
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| A report has called for an independent inquiry into the impact of military training on national parks. | A report has called for an independent inquiry into the impact of military training on national parks. |
| Research by the Council for National Parks (CNP) claims exercises in the parks may hamper enjoyment of them. | Research by the Council for National Parks (CNP) claims exercises in the parks may hamper enjoyment of them. |
| The report said there was "fundamental conflict" between some training and public use of the Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire Coast parks. | The report said there was "fundamental conflict" between some training and public use of the Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire Coast parks. |
| The MoD said it used less than 3% of national park land and much was open to the public after live-firing exercises. | |
| In the Brecon Beacons National Park, the military training area at Sennybridge is the third largest in the UK and is used for training on 350 days each year. | |
| Live firing, including artillery firing, takes place on the Epynt ranges in the area on around 260 days a year. | Live firing, including artillery firing, takes place on the Epynt ranges in the area on around 260 days a year. |
| 'Adventurous training' | 'Adventurous training' |
| Snowdonia National Park is used for what the army describes as "adventurous training" by troops based at the Kinmel Park camp, near Rhyl. | Snowdonia National Park is used for what the army describes as "adventurous training" by troops based at the Kinmel Park camp, near Rhyl. |
| The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is home to two training camps at Castlemartin and Manorbier, with Penally and Templeton training sites nearby. | The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is home to two training camps at Castlemartin and Manorbier, with Penally and Templeton training sites nearby. |
| The Manorbier range is used to test air defence missiles | The Manorbier range is used to test air defence missiles |
| Castlemartin is one of the UK's major live-fire training and manoeuvre facilities for armoured fighting vehicles and has been constant use since 1951. | Castlemartin is one of the UK's major live-fire training and manoeuvre facilities for armoured fighting vehicles and has been constant use since 1951. |
| Manorbier is the main UK "close air defence" range for the army and is used to fire missiles and machine gun systems. | Manorbier is the main UK "close air defence" range for the army and is used to fire missiles and machine gun systems. |
| According to the army, there is a large "danger area" around Manorbier - stretching 220 square miles (570 sq km), out to a maximum of 13 miles (21 km) at sea, and up to 50,000 feet (15,240m) overhead. | According to the army, there is a large "danger area" around Manorbier - stretching 220 square miles (570 sq km), out to a maximum of 13 miles (21 km) at sea, and up to 50,000 feet (15,240m) overhead. |
| As well as troops from the British Army, soldiers from around the world take part in training and exercises at Wales' national parks. | As well as troops from the British Army, soldiers from around the world take part in training and exercises at Wales' national parks. |
| Low flying | Low flying |
| Last year, a residents' group opposed army plans to fire missiles at night at Manorbier, although the application was eventually granted. | Last year, a residents' group opposed army plans to fire missiles at night at Manorbier, although the application was eventually granted. |
| Also last year, some residents in Brecon opposed plans to extend firing training at the Dering Lines base near the town. | Also last year, some residents in Brecon opposed plans to extend firing training at the Dering Lines base near the town. |
| The CNP research, published on Friday, calls for an independent inquiry on the impact of military training on national park land across the UK. | The CNP research, published on Friday, calls for an independent inquiry on the impact of military training on national park land across the UK. |
| The research highlights a "fundamental conflict between some military training activities and national parks", such as firing with live ammunition, training with heavy artillery weapons and low-flying by jets. | The research highlights a "fundamental conflict between some military training activities and national parks", such as firing with live ammunition, training with heavy artillery weapons and low-flying by jets. |
| CNP head of policy, Ruth Chambers, said: "CNP accepts that the armed forces need to train in the UK and that it would be unreasonable and impractical to argue that all military training in national parks should cease. | CNP head of policy, Ruth Chambers, said: "CNP accepts that the armed forces need to train in the UK and that it would be unreasonable and impractical to argue that all military training in national parks should cease. |
| "The key issue is whether all the training that happens in national parks needs to happen there and whether military intensification in national parks is acceptable. | "The key issue is whether all the training that happens in national parks needs to happen there and whether military intensification in national parks is acceptable. |
| 'Tranquillity' | 'Tranquillity' |
| "Given the importance of the national parks as national breathing spaces where millions of people seek tranquillity and wildness, we question whether the public interest is best served by continuing military training at current levels in national parks." | "Given the importance of the national parks as national breathing spaces where millions of people seek tranquillity and wildness, we question whether the public interest is best served by continuing military training at current levels in national parks." |
| The Council for National Parks is a charity which aims to protect and enhance England and Wales' 12 national parks. | The Council for National Parks is a charity which aims to protect and enhance England and Wales' 12 national parks. |
| In a statement, the MoD said it welcomed the Council for National Parks' comment that the MoD's conservation efforts were a "gold standard" within government. | In a statement, the MoD said it welcomed the Council for National Parks' comment that the MoD's conservation efforts were a "gold standard" within government. |
| The statement read: "Military training which takes place on less than 3% of the national park land, plays a vital part in ensuring that our armed forces are ready for operations in a variety of hostile and high risk locations. | The statement read: "Military training which takes place on less than 3% of the national park land, plays a vital part in ensuring that our armed forces are ready for operations in a variety of hostile and high risk locations. |
| "Despite this, much of the land is available for public access when live firing is not taking place." | "Despite this, much of the land is available for public access when live firing is not taking place." |