Agenda item

To inform and update members on the Llŷn AONB Capital Projects.

To accept the report and note the observations received. ⁠

The report was submitted by the Llŷn AONB Projects Officer for information to the members, to update them on Llŷn AONB's capital projects. It was explained that Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Places (SLSP) was a grant scheme by the Welsh Government to support capital projects in the National Parks and the AONB.

It was confirmed that the projects covered a three-year period (2022-25). The officer reported on the themes of the capital projects that had been set by the Welsh Government, namely Biodiversity and nature recovery, Decarbonisation, Resilient and green communities and Sustainable Tourism.

Updates on the Llŷn SLSP capital projects were provided in the report, projects such as:

·       Renewing the stairway at Porth Ysgo

·       Mynytho, Horeb and Rhos Botwnnog Common Lands

·       Native Trees

·       Alien invasive species

·       Canolfan Llithfaen

·       Car park at Llanbedrog Quarry

·       Joint Projects – Traditional Boundaries, the Dark Sky and an Education Pack.

A member enquired about the Alien invasive species project, noting that alien plants could be seen in locations such as Garn Boduan and Tre'r Ceiri. Reference was made to the Native Trees project, and it was asked whether the AONB officers held discussions with Cadw before planting trees. There was concern that the planting was taking place in archaeologically sensitive areas. It was confirmed that the AONB Unit planned to carry out archaeology reviews soon before planting trees. It was suggested that there may be grants available from Cadw, and the Officers were asked to share updates about the planting with the Gwynedd Archaeology representative so that she could contribute.

The members enquired further about the areas of tree planting, and the scale of planting. It was noted that they intended to look further at the sites within lands that were owned by Cyngor Gwynedd, but the Ysgol Botwnnog site looked very promising. They did not intend to plant on all the sites. It was confirmed that grants could be provided to caravan site owners to plant trees through the Sustainable Development Fund. It was hoped to be able to consider projects similar to this in the next financial year.

A member asked whether it would be possible to receive a summary or list of capital projects over the last three years to see what the projects were, in what area and how much capital had been provided in order to see the variety. This information was also requested about the Sustainable Development Fund. The Llŷn AONB Projects Officer would share the information.

Members gave thanks for all the work and noted that very positive feedback had been received regarding the renewal of the Porth Ysgo steps. They also thanked the AONB Officers for the work on the centre at Llithfaen and noted that everyone was looking forward to the centre opening. A member enquired about the hall in Llanbedrog, reporting that the condition of the hall was poor and that the roof was weak. They asked if assistance was available as the hall required some expenditure. It was confirmed that the AONB Officers would discuss further with the member outside of this meeting. 

          DECISION

   To accept the report and note the observations received.