External boundary fencing planning inspectorate application on Tal y Fan Common FAQ's

To inform the community and hopefully gain support for a solution to the longstanding issue of sheep and ponies straying off the common and into the communities and the A55, in the area of Dwygyfylchi.  

Solutions aim to protect livestock, livelihoods and the safety of road users. 

A55 incident statistics recorded by local Neighbourhood Policing Team 

2026. So far there are 30 reports of sheep and 8 reports of ponies.
2025. 36 reports of sheep and 27 reports of ponies

NOTE: recording numbers of ponies as well as sheep only begun in 2025 therefore previous statistics are not available.  

2024. 27 reports of sheep
2023. 65 reports of sheep
2022. 117 reports of sheep
2021. 76 reports of sheep

Officers from Eryri National Park have been consulting with graziers and other organisations to devise a plan to reduce the straying of livestock off the common.  

These plans comprise fencing and gates along the boundary outlined on the map below.

Although we believe this will be effective in reducing incidents, the proposal may not fully prevent the straying of livestock from the common. Taking action is necessary and, while it is acknowledged some incidents may still occur, it is believed the proposals will have a significant impact in stopping incursions and in preventing potentially dangerous incidents in occurring on the A55 and in surrounding roads, and the consequent road closures and inconvenience this causes to local residents.      

The fencing works will also be supported by tree planting in suitable areas to suppress bracken growth in the long term, enhancing biodiversity and reducing the fire risk in the ungrazed section. 

In order to proceed with the proposal to the Planning Inspectorate, given that the site is on common land, we need to demonstrate that we have consulted with the local community and users of the area, that their comments and concerns have been considered and, where appropriate, incorporated into the proposal. 

The Planning Inspectorate process can take 3-6 months.  

Officers and Councillors of Conwy County Borough Council, officials and legal representatives of the Farmers Union of Wales and National Farmers Union Cymru, North Wales Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency, Welsh Government, Eryri National Park Authority and the graziers themselves in the form of the Tal y Fan Common Graziers Association. 

• Installation of Cattle grids – this been deemed as currently unfeasible due to road aspects (bends, slope, visibility) and traffic speed.  

This may be an option in future, however, at present the feasibility study will be over £10,000 with no certainty of a suitable site being available. Grid installation (if feasible) would be expensive and with land acquisition, retaining walls or retaining slopes and given the challenging terrain it may be beyond the realms of affordability.  

There are also concerns about a grid being introduced to the Sychanant Pass given the heavy traffic use of the road.  

• Fencing OPTION B, which closes off 26ha of the Common.  

A second fenceline option has been investigated with the graziers but would lead to the annexing of 26ha of common land, which would be less likely to be approved by the Planning Inspectorate and would have no grazing access which could become more problematic in terms of vegetation control and the risk of fire. 

• Do nothing – is unfeasible due to the nature and seriousness of the issues outlined.  

Eryri National Park Authority will organise and present the Application and has agreed to cover the cost for erecting the fence and access gates which will cost approximately £9,000.   

The fencing will be steel based fencing post and clip fix materials, due to the rocky nature of the ground and fire risk to timber posts. Local firms will be favoured for installation where possible.  

Should the application be approved, ENPA hopes to get the fencing works undertaken as soon as possible. 

The Tal y Fan Common Graziers Association have agreed to undertake long-term maintenance and upkeep of the fence.