Agenda item

To provide an update on the Llŷn AONB capital projects.

The report was presented by the Llŷn AONB Officer and the Countryside Warden – Llŷn AONB, highlighting the following key points:

 

It was explained that all the projects presented in the report were funded through the Welsh Government's 'Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places' grant scheme available for Welsh Designated Landscapes - National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It was further explained that the Welsh Government had set themes for the grant for 2025-27 namely 'Promoting biodiversity and nature restoration', 'Facilitating decarbonisation' and 'General improvements relating to access, infrastructure and visitor pressures'. Members were guided through the successful projects delivered by the Llŷn AONB during the current financial year, and it was confirmed that further information would be available to the public through the Llygad Llŷn newsletter.

 

Planting Native Trees

It was reported that planting native trees such as oak, blackthorn, hawthorn, holly, hazel, silver birch and other species, offered significant environmental benefits such as creating habitats for wildlife, absorbing carbon from the environment, purifying and managing water and providing a sustainable resource for the future.

 

It was recognised that the Llŷn AONB Unit had faced a challenge in finding suitable locations to plant these trees, as there was insufficient suitable land available under the Council's ownership. It was explained that officers had worked with the National Trust to obtain permission to plant trees at Tŷ'n Parc, near Plas yn Rhiw. Natural Resources Wales officials were also thanked for assisting the project, in the hope that the scheme could be continued in the coming year on Natural Resources Wales’ lands.

 

It was confirmed that the work had been carried out this year at Plas yn Rhiw and Tŷ'n Parc (Rhiw) in addition to areas near the cemetery and community garden in Nefyn, and everyone who had undertaken the work were thanked.

 

Non-native Invasive Species

It was explained that this project was a follow-up to research carried out on the non-native invasive species that were harmful to the native wildlife of the Llŷn AONB, in an attempt to eradicate them as they posed a threat in some places. It was stressed that this project was challenging as the non-native invasive species were to be found in several areas across the AONB.

 

Particular attention was drawn to work carried out to dispose of Himalayan Balsam in areas of Pistyll and Penllech, and Natural Resources Wales were thanked for their co-operation. However, it was noted that this species had been found in other areas such as Nefyn, where it was out of control as the budget to eradicate the species had been  used in areas where there was confidence that it could be eradicated, rather than attempting to eradicate it in areas where the situation was out of control.

 

Similarly, it was confirmed that work had been carried out to remove Japanese Knotweed, drawing particular attention to the work carried out in the Trefor area. It was explained that eradicating this species was considered to be less challenging, and there was a possibility that the entire budget would not be spent during the next financial year as officials were in control of the situation. Anyone who found the species within the AONB was urged to contact the Unit so that it could be eradicated.

 

Similarly, it was explained that work has been carried out to remove rhododendron trees in areas near Garn Boduan and Llanbedrog beach, and it was confirmed that there were plans to continue to eradicate the species over the next year.

 

Decarbonisation of village halls / centres

It was reported that the intention of this project was to assist village halls and centres to decarbonise by introducing measures such as insulation, switching to low-energy LED lighting, carbon-free heating systems and creating systems to store renewable energy. It was explained that delivering these changes would also result in financial savings for those buildings. Attention was drawn to three buildings that had benefited from the project during 2025-26:

 

·       Edern Community Hall – upgrade to LED lights.

·       Sarn Memorial Hall – install an electricity storage system from its solar panels to save money rather than selling it back to the grid.

·       Y Ganolfan, Trefor – carry out an inspection of the building prior to installing solar panels, storage system, insulation and upgrading to LED lighting.

 

          Abergeirch

It was noted that this area near the village of Edern had been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its particular marshy wetland vegetation.

 

An ecological assessment report had been carried out on the site which showed that there had been a deterioration in the condition of the special features found there. It was further explained that the report had recommended possible enhancements to the area, confirming that these would be achieved over the coming year.

 

General and joint projects

Other small projects that had been delivered were highlighted, such as the restoration of a multi-use path and the installation of picnic benches in Porthor, the improvement of a local route near Bodwrdda Aberdaron, the improvement of key routes in Clynnog and the restoration of rusty iron railings on the quay in Trefor.

 

It was also explained that the Llŷn AONB had benefited from collaborative projects with other Designated Landscapes such as the 'Dark Skies' and 'Tirlun 2 - Landscape Education Pack' projects.

 

During the discussion, the following observations were noted: ⁠ ⁠

 

In response to an enquiry, it was confirmed that the Unit appreciated the assistance from volunteers on these projects where appropriate, recognising that volunteers could not be accepted on all projects, such as the schemes to improve paths in Clynnog.

 

Several matters were drawn to the attention of officers as potential issues to be considered as capital projects, such as areas of Japanese Knotweer at Carreg y Defaid and Mynytho, the need to install iron railings on the road to Llanbedrog beach, Rhododendron trees near Gyrn Goch waterfall as well as the need to repaint signs and milestones in the Mynytho area. It was also proposed that officers should contact Plas Glyn y Weddw to see if they would like native trees to be planted there, as their forest had been damaged over recent years by severe weather.

 

In response to a question, it was confirmed that a link to the Landscape Education Pack project had been shared with all schools within the AONB, and it was confirmed that the link would be shared with members of the Joint Committee for information.

 

In response to an enquiry, the Llŷn ANHE Officer confirmed that Community Councils had received information about all these projects as they developed, noting that it was hoped that Community Council members who were members of this Joint Committee would also report back to their meetings.

 

         

DECISION

 

·       To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

·       To ensure that a link to the 'Tirlun 2 – Landscape Education Pack' project was shared with Members.