THE chief executive of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has announced his intention to retire after 35 years at the helm.

Nic Wheeler (pictured) was appointed National Park officer in 1974 and is the longest serving chief executive within the family of UK National Parks.

He will retire next spring, shortly after his 65th birthday.

Under Mr. Wheeler's direction, the National Park as an organisation has grown from 29 people to a staff of 150, including part-time and seasonal workers. It has evolved from a department of the former Dyfed County Council to become a free-standing authority in its own right.

Mr. Wheeler leads his staff in working to the Welsh Assembly Government in delivering the authority's purposes - to conserve and enhance the special qualities of the National Park and to provide opportunities for people to access and enjoy it. The authority is also the Local Planning Authority for the National Park area.

In more recent years, Mr. Wheeler has seen the role of the organisation expand, with a duty to look after the social and economic needs of Park communities in delivering its purposes. The authority has also become an exemplar in the delivery of climate change initiatives, helping the Welsh Assembly Government in this important work.

Speaking about his planned retirement, Mr. Wheeler said: "I have been honoured to lead this authority over a long period of time and to see it develop in so many ways.

"For those who live and work here, as well as those who visit, we all share the vision to keep Pembrokeshire special and to work with local communities to enhance our quality of life and culture, not only for ourselves but for our children and our children's children.

"I certainly intend to continue to serve Pembrokeshire and participate in environmental issues in other ways over the years to come - and I will surely keep an interest in the Park from the outside."

Chairman of the National Park Authority Richard Howells said: "To find a successor of the calibre of Nic Wheeler will be no easy task, and the authority appreciates the length of formal notice that he has given.

"Nic has been at the forefront of the National Park movement for well over 30 years and has a truly enviable reputation on environmental issues, not only in Wales, but throughout the UK.

"His will be a hard act to follow and I am sure many people within the National Park family and beyond will want to wish Mr. Wheeler well as he nears retirement."

The authority will now look to deliver its succession planning programme in the appointment of a new chief executive.