Under the Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places scheme Llŷn AONB, and the other four AONBs in Wales, have received funding from the Welsh Government towards environmental projects. The grant is specifically for supporting projects related to decarbonisation, sustainable tourism, nature restoration and supporting communities/green restoration. Following receiving guidelines for the Fund, an application was submitted for a number of projects in the Llŷn AONB area for the years 2022-25. The projects that the AONB Unit worked on during 2022-23 were:
Gyrn Goch Circular walk
This particular path was closed in 2022 because the old bridge crossing the river “Hen” had rotted and was impossible to cross. The main focus of the project was therefore to install a new bridge over the river in order to reopen the circuit and create access to the nearby forest and the open access land of Gyrn Goch. Other improvements were also made to the journey by exchanging a stile for a gate and resurfacing part of the path. This is a fairly short walk but it provides an opportunity to walk through various landscapes including forest and unimproved land with various wild plants.
Common Land
Another exciting project by the Unit is to assess and improve common lands in Rhos Botwnnog, Foel Gron Mynytho, and Horeb/Mynytho. In the financial year 2022-23 ecological surveys were carried out on the common lands in question. In the coming years we will implement measures to restore/improve the condition of the lands (e.g. improving habitats, removing invasive species), improving management, reducing fire risks etc. The project also aims to improve access and interpretation to these lands.
Traditional Boundaries
This is a joint project with other designated areas of north Wales. Its purpose is to maintain and restore traditional boundaries – stone walls, banks and stone faced earth banks. As well as being interesting features on the landscape these boundaries are important wildlife habitats. As part of the project the Llŷn AONB Unit collaborated with the Snowdonia National Park to offer grants to maintain and restore traditional boundaries in the Madryn area.
The Dark Sky
Again, this was a joint project with other designated landscapes. A lot of work has already been done to raise awareness about the importance of the dark sky through the Night Partnership. This project builds on that and includes appointing consultants to carry out an inspection of lighting in areas and identify opportunities to install new lights, less harmful to the dark sky. Following that the project will move on to realize the improvements for the benefit of the dark sky and the environment in general.
Y Ganolfan, Llithfaen
The community centre is an important building in the village of Llithfaen and the surrounding area. Until recently various meetings and activities were held here and there were two snooker tables that were in constant use. During the lockdown period a problem developed with dry rot in the community center and it became clear that significant improvements were needed before the building could be re-opened. In year 2022 capital funds contributed to a thorough condition survey of the Center and drawing up a Business Plan for the future.
The AONB Warden’s electric van
As part of the effort to decarbonise the services of the AONB and Gwynedd Council, a portion of the capital grant was used to buy an electric van for the Warden of the AONB. This meant getting rid of the old diesel van and thereby reducing the service’s carbon footprint. Charging Points in the Cob Road, Pwllheli offices are used to charge the van and occasionally those of the National Trust (With thanks to the NT!).
Read more about work in the Llŷn AONB in the latest edition of their newsletter Llygad Llŷn.