Tree planting takes place at new Rhyl community site

A Rhyl site is taking shape to provide benefits for both local nature and community wellbeing.

Tree planting is underway at the new Community Nature Space adjacent to Ffrodd Elan Park at Llys Brenig on the Park View Estate.

This work accompanies three other Community Nature Spaces being established by the Council this year at St Asaph, Henllan and Clocaenog, which were announced in October 2023, and tree planting at schools throughout the county that was announced in December 2023.

The Community Nature Spaces Project has received funding from an £800,000 grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Rhyl's new Community Nature Space will eventually provide stronger habitat areas for nature to benefit from as well as community spaces to support resident mental and physical wellbeing and enable them to learn about local wildlife.

Developing this Rhyl space will also give other community benefits such as improved air quality, urban heat cooling, and areas of mixed interest for education and play.

This work supports the drive to reduce the county's carbon footprint by contributing to the amount of carbon sequestered (or absorbed) by trees.

Groundwork at Llys Brenig has seen the creation of a pond and wetland area to support local wildlife, installation of new fences around the pond and around the site boundary, and preparation for future footpath construction for community member to use for recreation.

Denbighshire County Council Countryside Services alongside volunteers are this week planting 1,885 trees at the site, a mix of native broadleaved varieties that are appropriate for the local conditions and which, along with the wetlands and wildflower meadow at the site, will help provide diverse species-rich habitat to aid nature's recovery and resilience and make a contribution to tackling the ecological and climate emergency in addition to the benefits for local community health.

Ysgol Bryn Hedydd Year 4 pupils who are learning about sustainability in class, also rolled up their sleeves to help with planting at the new community site.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: "This is a great development for the wellbeing of the local community surrounding this site and I am grateful to everyone involved who made the acquisition of this land happen.

"I've been out there helping with the planting and I am really looking forward to seeing this area grow to support local nature and lend a supportive hand to giving local residents a fantastic place to go and enjoy wildlife on their own doorstep to bring a great boost to their mental and physical wellbeing. "

Editors Notes

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government's Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

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