PROTECT: Wrexham agreement set to ensure 300 protected spaces in Wales
The number of parks and green spaces legally protected forever in Wales is set to hit the 300 mark after Wrexham County Borough Council took the next step in protecting ten country parks by signing a partnership agreement with Fields in Trust.
Protection in perpetuity will mean the parks can never be sold off or built on and will always be there for people in Wrexham to use and enjoy. We now need your support to help us turn the Council's vision into a reality and ensure they remain green spaces for good for current and future generations.
Wrexham County Borough Council first set out their ambition to become the leading local authority in Wales for legally protected green space to support climate change mitigation late last year. In the time since, Fields in Trust have been working with the Council to agree the areas for protection and put in place a partnership agreement.
The signing of the agreement kick-starts the legal process required to protect the ten green spaces forever and means now is the perfect opportunity for you to get involved and play your part in creating this green space legacy. The Council have committed to complete the process by the end of this summer; we need your support for our work to secure the benefits these ten spaces provide for health and wellbeing, local communities and the environment forever.
Tŷ Mawr Country Park on the banks of the River Dee is one of the ten country parks across Wrexham county borough which will be legally protected forever with Fields in Trust under the new commitment.
The new protections will bring to 37 the number of legally protected green spaces in Wrexham. The futures of 27 community green spaces across the County Borough have previously been secured by the Council, including 20 as Owain Glyndwr Fields in memory of the legendary Welsh statesman. Addition of these ten county parks will ensure Wrexham leads the way in protecting green space not just for people but for the planet as well.
Green spaces are good and do good for the environment. From capturing carbon to improving air quality to boosting biodiversity. Losing a green space means losing all these benefits and more. And once a green space is lost, it is lost forever, underlining the importance of local authorities making commitments such as the one undertaken by Wrexham. They join Liverpool City Council and City of Edinburgh Council in making green space pledges in the last twelve months.
Wrexham County Borough Council's Lead Member for Environment and Transport, Cllr David A Bithell, said "This is excellent progress as we look to very soon seeing these parks permanently and legally protected.
"We are all very aware of our environment and not only will this protect these areas for future generations it will play a significant role in ensuring we achieve carbon neutral status by 2030."
Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Pritchard, said "Our parks are green assets that we are very proud of and I'd like to thank everyone involved in progressing this work to ensure we continue to have a beautiful and natural environment across Wrexham."
The ten country parks that will become green spaces for good are: Alyn Waters, Ty Mawr, Bonc yr Hafod, Stryt Las, Nant Mill, Moss Valley, Minera, Acton Park, Brynkinalt, Ponciau.
Fields in Trust Senior Operations and Stewardship Manager, Angela Lewis, said "We look forward to working with Wrexham County Borough Council and are very pleased that our partnership will protect these wonderful parks and green spaces for the people of Wrexham, forever.
"I congratulate the Council for their civic leadership, ensuring the health, wellbeing and environmental benefits will be future-proofed and the green spaces will be protected for future generations to enjoy.
"I would encourage anyone who wants to be part of leaving a green space legacy to current and future generations in Wrexham to find out how they can support this work and get in touch."
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