Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Clean sweep as 22nd Welsh council backs devolution of Crown Estate assets

10 Jun 2025 3 minute read
The Crown Estate. Photo Chris Dorney

Twm Owen, local democracy reporter

A Gwent council has become the last of Wales’ 22 local authorities to back a call for control of the Crown Estates land and seabed assets to be devolved to Wales.

The Crown Estate controls vast areas of Welsh land and sea, including 65 per cent of the foreshore and riverbed and over 50,000 acres of land, and returns profits to the UK Treasury.

A campaign, pushed by Welsh independence campaign group Yes Cymru, has called for control of the estate to be devolved to Wales, as it has in Scotland, and since September last year 21 councils have backed calls for responsibility to be handed to the Welsh Government.

Councillors in Labour controlled Torfaen have now joined the chorus but also said they want to “understand more fully the implications of devolution of the Crown Estate” on the Welsh block grant, the funding settlement the Welsh Government receives from Westminster.

Block grant

The motion that called for council leader Anthony Hunt to write to the UK and Welsh Government’s setting out its in principle support for devolution of the estate noted the Scottish Government’s block grant was “reduced accordingly” after it gained control over the assets in 2016.

Reform UK councillor Alan Slade said he was concerned Wales, and Welsh local government, wouldn’t benefit financially in the way the motion intends.

The Llantarnam member asked: “What is the advantage of this then? If the Scottish block grant is reduced it is robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Cllr Hunt described the question as “valid” and said “the advantage I guess would be if it increases it would be of benefit to Wales.”

The Labour councillor also said he supported the principle, highlighted in the motion, of “subsidiarity” – a word he said he couldn’t pronounce properly – but means “power should be centralised as close as possible”.

But he warned the estate, which the motion said the holdings of which in Wales had risen in value from £96m in 2020 to more than £853m in 2023, isn’t a cure all for public finances.

‘Right thing to do’

Cllr Hunt said: “I have seen this described elsewhere as the solution to the ills of all public service finances but being realistic it is unlikely to have a huge net benefit but I still think it’s the right thing to do generally.”

Reform UK’s Jason O’Connell asked if “anything would change” by the council agreeing the motion and Cllr Hunt it will require him to write to the Welsh and UK governments but added: “I can’t promise they will necessarily listen to me.”

The motion, which was put forward by Labour councillor Jayne Watkins, was passed unanimously.

Reacting to the vote, YesCymru Director Rob Hughes said: “With unanimous support across all local authorities and the Senedd, the message from Wales is loud and clear. We call once again on the UK Government to do the right thing and transfer control of the Crown Estate to Wales.”

Labour-led Monmouthshire was the first Gwent council to back devolution of the Crown Estate, in September 2024, which is also the position of the Welsh Labour government while Labour run Caerphilly, Newport and Blaenau Gwent have all agreed their support during 2025.


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
David
David
2 hours ago

So, the Reform party and Welsh Labour MP’s are against the Crown Estates to be devolved to Wales.

Nia James
Nia James
1 hour ago
Reply to  David

Both are Loyal to The Crown and have little time for Cymru or its people.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
1 hour ago

With all 22 councils in Wales now calling for the devolution of our Crown Estate, what will it take for UK Labour to listen? Scotland gained control of its Crown Estate in 2017 and we want similar. Why not Wales. Do they deem us a lesser people? I think so. UK Labour rule has damaged Wales. If Welsh Labour have any backbone must demand its devolution now or call for a referendum to devolve not only the Crown Estate, our Criminal Justice & Youth system, Policing, power over rail infrastructure and other functions & levers unjustly denied only to Wales.… Read more »

Valley girl
Valley girl
17 minutes ago

Here’s a more detailed look: 1. UN Recognition of Land Rights: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) emphasizes the right of indigenous peoples to their lands and territories, including the right to self-determination. UN Special Rapporteurs, like James Anaya, have publicly called for the return of land stolen from indigenous peoples, citing its importance for reconciliation and healing. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) provides a platform for indigenous peoples to voice their concerns and advocate for their rights, including land rights. 2. The “Land Back” Movement: The “Land Back” movement, which emphasizes… Read more »

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.