The Gwent Green Grid Partnership has been formed to deliver a ground-breaking new project that aims to improve and develop ‘green infrastructure’ and provide jobs within the area. The term ‘green infrastructure’ describes the network of natural and semi-natural features, green spaces, rivers and lakes that intersperse and connect our villages, towns and cities. Green infrastructure provides areas for leisure and wildlife, contributes towards healthy lifestyles and is crucial to mitigating the impacts of climate change.
The partnership is led by Monmouthshire County Council, working with Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport and Torfaen councils as well as Natural Resources Wales, Forest Research and Severn Wye Energy Agency. They will work together to ensure a consistent approach to environmental management, health and well-being across the Gwent area; and will work to meet the challenge of managing the area’s natural resources for future generations.
In the first phase of the project, Severn Wye will conduct a detailed study of the area. By mapping and analysing the existing green infrastructure, waste streams and land management needs, the study will identify a range of opportunities for enriching the local environment by managing natural resources carefully and finding the best way to process green waste sustainably.
The project will deliver a range of benefits for local communities, including access projects and tree planting. Improvements to local green spaces and parks will include urban and country parks, along cycleways, public rights of way and woodlands. The partnership will also encourage the protection and promotion of pollinators, continuing the successful projects carried out across Monmouthshire.
Councillor Lisa Dymock, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for green infrastructure said:
“I very much welcome the establishment of the Gwent Green Grid Partnership, bringing together Gwent’s local authorities and three other organisations to protect and improve our natural environment while providing opportunities for the area’s communities.”
The project is supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe Investing in Rural Areas and is funded by the Welsh Government’s Enabling of Natural Resources and Well-being Grant.
Alex Wilcox Brooke, Project Manager for Severn Wye’s feasibility study is enthusiastic about the project’s potential:
“Over the next few weeks at COP15 and COP26, global leaders are discussing the enormous issues of biodiversity and climate change resilience. But the practical work takes place on the ground, at a local level. For that reason, it is hugely encouraging to be partnering with Welsh Government agencies and future-facing local authorities to put plans into action across Gwent and ensure a thriving natural environment for future generations.”
The Gwent Green Grids Partnership will deliver this project over the next three years, and result in area-wide benefits to the community, economy and green infrastructure.
Photo credit: © Copyright M J Roscoe and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
