Anglesey Council’s Countryside and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit is offering grant funding to conserve, enhance and restore traditional field boundaries.
Both farmers and landowners with fields inside and adjoining Anglesey’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can apply.
Anglesey’s AONB has one of the most distinctive, attractive and varied landscapes in the British Isles. The AONB is predominantly a coastal designation, covering most of the Island’s 125 mile coastline, as well as Holyhead Mountain and Mynydd Bodafon.
More information about Anglesey’s AONB map can be found here: https://www.anglesey.gov.wales/en/Residents/Countryside/Areas-of-Outstanding-Natural-Beauty-AONBs/Map-of-the-Anglesey-AONB.aspx
This conservation project has been made possible after the County Council successfully secured a £575,000 from the Welsh Government’s ‘Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places’ scheme. As part of the project, £70,000 will be allocated to the Anglesey Traditional Boundaries scheme.
Boundaries serve a practical purpose and are also vital for wildlife and the environment. They provide livestock with shelter from extreme wintery conditions, heat of the summer sun, whilst also providing habitat throughout the year.
Stone walls and hedgerows provide a safe refuge for small creatures, and form a safe, linked corridor network for them to traverse in safety.
Anglesey Countryside and AONB Officer, Alun M Owen said, “This grant provides farmers and landowners with a fantastic opportunity to conserve, enhance or restore their traditional field boundaries. The scheme will also benefit the rural economy through the creation of work for local contractors and suppliers.”
Hedgerows particularly benefit biodiversity and the environment as they provide a source of food for wildlife. Additionally, they help the environment by improving air quality, storing carbon and help to mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall by slowing down water penetration.
Climate Change portfolio holder, Councillor Nicola Roberts, explained, “This is an innovative scheme that will benefit Anglesey’s natural environment and supports our overarching biodiversity plan. I would encourage all eligible farmers and landowners to complete an expression of interest by contacting the Council’s Countryside and AONB Unit.”
Deputy Leader, Cllr Carwyn Jones, who has responsibility for the Countryside and AONB Unit as part of his Economic Development portfolio, added, “Traditional boundaries form an integral part of Anglesey’s landscape. Dry stone walls, hedgerows and cloddiau are all part of our countryside’s character.”
“This is an exciting project, with the potential to run for the next three years. The funding will allow us to help conserve and restore traditional field boundaries in and around our valuable AONB. I would like to thank our Officers for their hard work in preparing and presenting the successful grant application.”
The scheme will initially run until the end of March 2025.
For more information, or to declare an expression of interest please contact the County Council’s Countryside and AONB unit: AONB@ynysmon.llyw.cymru / 01248 752474
Closing date for the first round of expressions of interest is the 9 December 2022.
Ends 23 November 2022
Notes to editors
- The Anglesey Traditional Boundaries scheme is worth £70,000, with the funding spread over a period of 3 years.
- Successful applications will be selected using a series of criteria, with the priority given to ‘live’ boundaries like hedgerows for their higher environmental value, as well as boundaries that are within Anglesey’s AONB.
- For more information or to arrange a meeting contact Joseff Davies, the AONB’s community warden by emailing joseffdavies@ynysmon.llyw.cymru or phoning 01248 752474 / 07971163700.