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“In March 2021 Natural
Resources Wales [NRW] and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty [AONB] organised a meeting with the
community of Pengwern Vale to discuss opportunities around working in
partnership to make a positive contribution to the special landscape
character of Pengwern Vale.
“The quiet valley to the
south east of Llangollen is the old bed of the River Dee and lies
within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB.
“Within the Vale is a
housing estate, two primary schools, farms and some small businesses.
It has steep valley sides with woodland some of which is Welsh
Government Woodland Estate managed by NRW.
“We facilitated a virtual
event with the purpose to ‘listen’. By listening we started to
understand what’s important to the people who live, work and visit
Pengwern Vale, the challenges they face, and how we can all work better
to make a positive contribution in responding to the climate and
environment emergency.
“Over thirty external
participants came to a virtual evening meeting including residents,
Town & County Councillors, a headteacher, school governor, local
businesses and representatives of Friends of Pengwern Vale, Friends of
the Earth, Woodland Trust, local health centre, Llangollen 2020 (sports
clubs) and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.
“Once people realised
there was no pre-determined plan, the discussion became positive and
free flowing. Lots of existing and possible initiatives were raised
along with the ambition that the group could start to prepare a Plan
for the Vale setting out a vision and ambition for at least the next
generation. This could be seen almost as an Area Statement in
miniature.
“Some of the
possibilities raised ranged from promoting the local engagement with
the environment seen during lockdown, to management of recreation,
green infrastructure, sustainable land management, and even as far as
promoting engagement in wider environmental issues for the next
generation.
“This new way of working
[in line with the Area Statement process] is organic. It will
take time to build trust and nurture relationships so local
stakeholders have the confidence to commit and drive actions that will
deliver positive community transformation.
“However, there is a
clear desire and enthusiasm to do something different. The next
step is for NRW and the AONB to support the community in developing a
short, medium and generational ‘plan for the vale’ that will be
instrumental in delivering the communities vision with the support of a
range of stakeholders and partners.
“If you would like to
support this project, or would like to learn more please contact richard.dearing@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk”
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