RHYL residents have criticised Denbighshire County Council (DCC) for its lack of consultation and maintenance work regarding a nature reserve in the town.
Noel Martin lives on Maes-Y-Gog, by the Maes Gwilym nature reserve, which he said has failed to be looked after properly, with little communication with residents like himself in the meantime.
In November 2021, DCC launched a public engagement scheme regarding the creation of four woodland sites in the county, including at Maes Gwilym, to help tackle climate change.
This two-week consultation period was part of DCC’s bid to become Net Carbon Zero and a more Ecologically Positive Council by 2030.
But Mr Martin has said there has been little dialogue with the council, and that consequently, the nature reserve is not being maintained as the residents would intend.
He said: “They (DCC) were supposed to be consulting with us to put together what the residents needed, and have just gone ahead on their own plan without informing anyone.
“Where they put hedgerows, shrubs and trees, it may end up being nice in years to come, but because the council have stopped dog-walkers going through other areas, everybody is now congregating on these fields.
“Trees were planted adjacent to property fences; this included the Prestatyn Gutter fence next to the main rail line. These trees and bushes will need maintenance to stop encroaching onto property.
“Leaves will be shed, (and) potential to cover the rail line exists. Certainly, there will be scatterings into streets and property in Maes-Y-Gog.”
Earlier this year, 5,000 new trees were planted across Denbighshire as part of DCC’s woodland creation project, including 2,500 at Maes Gwilym.
Volunteers and council staff also planted 800 trees at Llanrhydd, 1,500 at Cae Ddol and 150 trees at Maes Esgob.
As well as this concern, Mr Martin also raised issues of dog fouling and a build-up in traffic in the surrounding areas, as well as incidents of anti-social behaviour.
He added: “Fouling is a particular problem, as is traffic, because people come from Prestatyn and further afield to let their dogs run; generally without leads. They don’t know where they’re defecating because they can’t see them through the bushes.
“Because of the way the pathways are possibly being constructed, a lot of it is dangerous; all of the fields are being chewed up.
“There doesn’t seem to be a plan of work for it, and we’re all a bit disgruntled. We have friends whose homes back on to the field, and they’ve put this hedgerow very close to their fencing.
“They’re all worried about how it will affect their properties when it grows, and the costs related to not only what they will face, but what we are facing for maintenance of this.
“It feels a waste because of the lack of planning. When you look at it, and how it’s been for the last month, and how it’s upset the people backing on to the field, it’s just been an absolute nightmare.
“People are parking and dumping their cars, dogs are running wild, there are just so many little things building into a big thing.
“There seems no attention given to control of dogs, plus general anti-social behaviour existing.
“I’ve been walking on it for 26 years without any troubles. If the council had replied to my emails, it would have been nice to have a dialogue, but they don’t want to do that.”
“About six of us met the council and all gave our email addresses so we could be involved in it, but the lack of communication with the council has annoyed everybody. What they’ve come up with doesn’t suit that environment.”
Mr Martin also showed the Journal emails of concern which he had previously sent to Garry Davies, the council employee in charge of the project, and Paul Mead, development manager at DCC.
Neither of these emails, he said, received a reply.
In another email shown to the Journal, sent from Mr Martin to Graham Boase, DCC chief executive, yesterday (March 28), Mr Martin relayed comments from another concerned Maes-Y-Gog resident.
The resident’s comments said: “They have built and planted more trees in the ‘community orchard’ on the bottom field, yet completely fenced it off and put a padlock on the gate. How does this help the community? The community have been locked out and have no access, per se.
“As we know, it only takes a couple of inches of water to drown in. The pond is now huge and has no secure fencing around it, to protect wildlife and to protect children from possibility of accidental drowning.
“They will tell us that it’s secure as there is no access, however it would only take seconds for a small child to wander over and fall in.
“What are their plans for the increase in traffic we will expect to see coming down our quiet residential street, and possibly causing parking issues like maybe blocking driveways, or parking on pavements?
“The area has had much promotion which will only serve to invite people out of the area over and more anti-social behaviour. I believe we have enough of that already.”
Dr James Davies, Vale of Clwyd MP, added: "I am aware of comments that have been made about the County Council's implementation of this woodland creation project.
"In particular, I understand the concerns over anti-social behaviour.
"It is clear to me that there is a need for additional communication with nearby residents, and I have asked the council to ensure that this takes place."
In response to the above, a DCC spokesperson outlined the council’s intentions for the nature reserve, including protecting declining species and improving facilities for visitors through seating areas and better footpath access.
The council has also said it will take further action should problems such as dog fouling and anti-social behaviour become an growing concern.
READ MORE:
Denbighshire plants 5,000 trees to tackle climate change
Denbighshire Council consultation on woodland creation projects
A DCC spokesperson said: “As part of the council’s work on climate change, plans at Maes Gwilym include increasing the current tree canopy, improving nature connectivity by planting hedgerows, encouraging existing and new areas for wildflower meadows, restoring the wetland area to create a nature reserve with bird hide and to improve footpath access, introduce seating areas and replace damaged fencing and gates.
“So far, 2,500 trees have been planted at this site and measures have been taken to protect several protected and declining species, including several red and amber listed bird species and locally scarce plants.
“An online consultation on these plans and all our woodland creation plans was held in November 2021 and was advertised online and in the local press and included a virtual consultation session.
“We continue to correspond with residents on this project.
“As part of this scheme, dog walkers will continue to be able to use the site and we encourage them to do so in a positive and considerate way.
“If dog fouling becomes an increasing issue, patrols will be stepped up and signage installed.
“The project will encourage positive use of the site and if any anti-social behaviour does occur, the relevant authorities will be informed.
“All work is being carried out whilst adhering to health and safety regulations and a management plan is in place, which includes full maintenance responsibilities.
“Disruption during the construction phase is being kept to a minimum and all areas will be fully reinstated on completion.
“Residents will face no costs for future maintenance and the species of trees chosen will not negatively affect adjacent properties as they mature.”
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