Creating local green spaces in Pembrey and Burry Port, Carmarthenshire

A community growing area in Burry Port, a green space where people are growing food
A community growing area in Burry Port.

Local Places for Nature

Date awarded
Location
Burry Port
Local Authority
Carmarthenshire
Applicant
Pembrey and Buryy Port Town Council
Award Given
£50000
Dilapidated playgrounds and open urban land was transformed into community spaces to create local places for nature and people.
A polytunnel filled with pots growing flowers
The polytunnel is used to grow flowers, herbs and vegetables
by the community.

Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council created welcoming, accessible green spaces in residential areas of the town. These include:

  • a community orchard planted with native fruit trees and bushes
  • a children’s eco play park
  • a community sensory and mindfulness garden
  • community growing spaces

Native plant and wildflower species were chosen carefully to boost biodiversity and attract pollinators such as birds, bees and small mammals. Signage was created for a nature trail to connect the four spaces.

Pink azalea flower bushes in a planter
The sensory garden is used by local schools and older people
living in nearby independent living accommodation.

Serving community need and improving local people’s wellbeing was also crucial to the project. The community and schoolchildren contributed their ideas of what they wanted the green spaces to be used for, and local people contributed over 550 volunteer hours to bring the plans to life.

The Community Development Officer at Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council said: “The sites have had a huge positive impact on our community, and as they mature they will only grow in style and community engagement.

"In public consultation surveys completed during the project, 100% of people asked were pleased with the work carried out, many wishing to volunteer themselves towards the upkeep of the sites.”

One resident living near the community orchard said: “The idea of having a community orchard near our home is amazing.

A children's play park with a living willow tunnel and a wooden climbing frame
The children's eco park was created using locally-sourced wood
and is maintained to encourage wildflowers.

"I have a baby and a toddler, and my little boy has watched the site develop from the overgrown unsuitable park into the orchard. He can’t wait to see the trees grow and to spend time as a family picking the fruit and coming home to cook with it.”

This project was supported through the Local Places for Nature scheme, funded by the Welsh Government.

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