A Welsh council is in deliberation over whether to cease payments to the Crown Estate for access to the coastline. Last year, Cyngor Gwynedd (Gwynedd Council) paid over £160,000 to the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate, acting as a trust for King Charles, owns a substantial portion of the Welsh foreshore, riverbeds, and more than 50,000 acres of land. The council is now considering a motion to halt these payments, citing financial concerns and questioning the morality of funding the British Monarchy and UK Treasury.
Payments made by Gwynedd Council to the Crown Estate last year included fees for various beach accesses and Pwllheli marina, with sums reaching up to £144,990. Residents have expressed discontent, with one local resident, Dylan Llywelyn, highlighting the potential community benefits of redirecting these funds. The motion to cease payments until discussions with the Welsh Government on land control devolution is led by Plaid Cymru Councillor Dewi Jones for the Peblig ward in Caernarfon.
The ownership and management of Welsh land by the Crown Estate have been subjects of debate, with calls for devolution gaining traction. A recent poll indicated public support for devolving the Crown Estate to Wales, echoing the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales’ recommendation. While some, like Pam Parry, see no issue with the current arrangement, others argue for retaining revenue within Wales to benefit its communities.
Contrary views have been expressed, with Conservative Member of Senedd Samuel Kurtz emphasising the need to focus on economic growth and investment opportunities. Historian Dr. Elin Jones clarified that income from the Crown Estate benefits the Crown and UK government, with a portion supporting the Royal Family. The Crown Estate affirmed its collaboration with the Welsh Government to deliver value across financial, environmental, and social domains.
The debate on the council motion underscores broader discussions on land ownership and financial allocations in Wales. As stakeholders weigh ethical, financial, and community impacts, the outcome of the council’s decision may have far-reaching implications for the region’s land management and revenue allocation policies.