'Confusion' over Natural Resources Wales' role, says senior AM

Creating Natural Resources Wales was 'uniquely complex', its chief executive said

Wales' environment body is not clear of its own purpose, the chair of the assembly's environment committee has claimed.

Alun Ffred Jones said Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had offered confusing advice and was sometimes seen as being "too close" to the Welsh government.

Mr Jones has outlined his concerns in a letter to NRW, following an inquiry.

But NRW said it was "clear" about its purpose and insisted it was already dealing with many of the points raised.

The body was formed in 2013 by merging the Countryside Council for Wales, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission.

In his letter, Mr Jones wrote: "NRW does not appear to be clear about its purpose as an organisation... many of the more specific issues raised... stem from the confusion that exists within NRW about its purpose and the apparent lack of awareness at the top of NRW of how it is perceived on the ground by key stakeholders and staff."

The letter states some councils were confused on occasions when NRW stated it had no objection to a planning development, but then listed "serious concerns" about its impact.

Mr Jones added some organisations raised concerns the environment body was too close to Welsh ministers, particularly in relation to the controversial £325m Circuit of Wales race-track project planned in Blaenau Gwent.

Alun Ffred Jones said some of the concerns about NRW need to be 'acted upon with pace'

NRW chief executive Emyr Roberts said creating NRW had been "uniquely complex" and "nothing like this has ever been attempted before anywhere in the world".

"We are clear about our purpose and working with staff and stakeholders around this new concept of managing our natural resources in a more joined up way," he said.

"We are already taking action on many of the points raised and, against a backdrop of significant change, I'm very proud of the fantastic work our staff have continued to do for the people, environment and economy of Wales," Dr Roberts added.

A staff survey published in April found only 14% of workers at NRW felt the merger that led to its creation was well managed and one in five thought the organisation was well managed.

Just over half of its 2,000 staff took part in the survey.