TAWE CONSULTATION PROJECT: SMART NATURE · 2015-09-06 · TAWE TRIAL COMMUNITY CONSULTATION (SMART NATURE) APPENDICES: JULY 2015 - 2 - Contents 1. Public Consultation Survey Questionnaire

– SWANSEA ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM –

TAWE TRIAL COMMUNITY

CONSULTATION PROJECT

(SMART NATURE)

APPENDICES

Philip McDonnell – July 2015

TAWE TRIAL COMMUNITY CONSULTATION (SMART NATURE) APPENDICES: JULY 2015

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Contents

1. Public Consultation Survey Questionnaire Sheet 3

2. Online Survey Responses (Questions 3-6) 6

3. Face-to-face Survey Responses (Questions 3-6) 13

4. Community Consultation Events Outputs 24

5. Smart Nature Website Forum Comments 35

6. Smart Nature Conference Programme 40

7. Smart Nature Conference Workshop Outputs 42


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Appendix 1: Public Consultation Survey Questionnaire Sheet

SMART NATURE: Beacons to Bay (natural resources survey)

SURVEY LOCATION:

SURVEY NUMBER:

Introduction This survey is being carried out by Swansea Environmental Forum on behalf of Natural Resources Wales. It is about how the natural environment is USED and MANAGED. This includes natural resources such as water, air, land, plants and animals. 1. How important is the natural environment to you?

very important

quite important

not really important

unsure

2. How often do you the following activities in the natural environment?

activities very often

quite often

occasionally rarely never

walking or hiking

visiting local parks / nature reserves

visiting local beaches

cycling or horse riding

water sports / activities

bird watching / wildlife activities

adventure sports / activities e.g. climbing, paragliding

other activities (please state)


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SURVEY LOCATION:

SURVEY NUMBER:

3. What benefits of the natural environment do you most value?

4. What are your main concerns about the natural environment?

5. Who do you think is most responsible for looking after our natural resources?

6. In what ways do you think our natural resources could be better managed?


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SURVEY LOCATION:

SURVEY NUMBER:

Demographic Information 1. Gender

male

female

2. Age

24 or under

25-45

45-64

65 or over

3. Employment status

full-time employed

part-time employed

unemployed

student

retired

4. First part of post code e.g. SA5, SA9


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Appendix 2: Online Survey Responses (Q3-Q6)

Q3. What benefits of the natural environment do you most value?

1. Nature, wildlife & diversity

2. Recreation. Of particular value because we now live an a largely urban environment with less engagement particularly by young people. Helps us understand the nature of the "real world" and how to engage with it and the need to protect it

3. I value the opportunity to see other species in their natural habitat. The benefits to biodiversity and to the health and wellbeing of those who appreciate the assets of the natural environment.

4. Fresh air, clean rivers, lack of pollution, scenic beauty good , access to countryside recreation opportunities, clean water, wildlife, green space, tranquility

5. Fresh air Natural beauty Amazingly awesome views Mindfulness on the go or simply sitting

6. Preservation of natural environment

7. All

8. Beaches and inland moors

9. Intrinsic

10. Views of land formations and vegetation Seeing wildlife Hearing birds and other creatures Listening to water running. Seeing wildflowers Fresh air Opportunity to walk safely. Peace and chance to think Feel in harmony with nature

11. Enjoyment healthy

12. Relaxing, refreshing, interesting and wonderful. Removes me from the other elements of my life to recharge batteries, reflect and also enjoy the landscape, the flora and fauna and the history within it

13. Educational for family based, wildlife and environmental activities Play and leisure - emotional and physical well being.

14. Trees and mountains

15. Regenerative properties, health and wellbeing benefits

16. Its natural forms. Freedom to roam.

17. Provides habitat for a wide gamut of flora and fauna, wildlife watching, existence value, good backdrop for recreation.

18. Mental health benefits. Mental space, bigger perspective, peace, balance, insight, positive feelings, fun. health benefits. physical exercise, heart rate, mobility. fun and enjoyment 'Spiritual' connectedness Appreciating nature Supporting nature and wildlife

19. Biodiversity

20. Space and tranquility

21. Clean water, clean air and all the benefits that come with that. Being in a natural environment effects my sense of well-being and has enormous benefits to both my physical and mental health.

22. Fresh water, fresh air

23. The diversity that Swansea has to offer

24. Health Well being


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25. As a lecturer on the environment and energy usage I value all aspects of the natural environment

26. A healthy lifestyle. I personally believe that the natural environment has indefinable benefit on people mental well being and of course the physical benefits of being active and out with nature are widely known. I find wild animals and plants extremely interesting - it is amazing how some can survive very harsh conditions.

27. Hard to isolate particular aspects-I love mixed woodland, a wide variety of species of birds, mammals, insects etc to see and wonder at

28. Pollution free air and clean water to drink and swim in.

29. The presence of a constantly changing experience or vista which always throws up new discoveries or experiences.

30. Stress relief. intrinsic value of 'other'

31. It makes me fell good - my well being

Q4. What are your main concerns about the natural environment?

1. Fly tipping & pollution

2. Threat of climate change, lack of care by government. Undervalue of benefit to community

3. That there is NO protection for the natural environment. Even those areas that are supposedly protected, such as SSSIs, are not protected as the interests of people always take precedence. Councils are particularly bad at causing damage to the natural environment -weed killers are used indiscriminately, hedges and grass are trimmed unnecessarily and at the wrong time, trees are removed unnecessarily in the interests of safety, planning permission is given for 'waste land' with no thought for the wildlife living there, streams are turned into concrete channels, councils do not prosecute those who harm wildlife.

4. That there should be greater appreciation of the benefits of the Natural Environment both in Welsh Government Policy making but more specifically at Local Government level. Education curriculums should include this at all levels. The benefits of the Natural Environment should be recognised as an opportunity not a threat.

5. Pollution, fly tipping, lack of respect for our environment, roadside waste, discarded fast food packaging. restricted access to some aspects of countryside.

6. Pollution, urban sprawl, loss of biodiversity,

7. Pollution : litter, ambient light ( I love to look up at the stars at night) litter at sea, discarding of plastics Deforestation

8. Plastic danger to everything in water Japanese knot weeds

9. Pollution of the waters by plastic waste

10. Over intensification of farming Planning issues

11. lack of funding for conservation development pressure invasive species climate change lack of understanding/consideration for ecosystem services

12. Global warming Obtrusive development Wildlife extinction Things like fracking Lack of sensitivity in new housing Destruction of local environment by off-roaders etc, littering, barbecues left with broken glass and hot things hidden in sand on the beach. Pollution- air quality, marine pollution.

13. Development lack of resources wrong management invasive non native species


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14. Global warming, development pressure, commercial viability of farmers, access to it, and the lack of value people put on it relative to other concerns they may have..

15. Building on areas

16. Losing some of the wonders that make Wales so special, loss of habitat, species, flora and fauna.

17. Pollution of beaches rivers and canals with plastics i.e. bottles, fishing lines, bags

18. Not many people take time to explore and appreciate nature on their doorstep

19. Toxins in all their forms. People paving over their gardens. Butchering of trees. Barrages. Fracking. Wind farms. Japanese knotweed.

20. Habitat fragmentation (physical, biological and chemical) and invasive species.

21. It is not accessible to people. Green spaces can be seen as dangerous or threatening It is not used enough. Planning overlooks its importance , wildlife corridors etc so it is often under threat. Pollution

22. Conserving native ecosystems and species

23. Encroachment of built environment, pollution of bathing waters

24. My main concerns are pollution/carbon emissions, deforestation/loss of natural habitat for wild animals, the appalling treatment of our oceans and the inevitable effect this has on our own species. :The proposal of companies to produce shale gas/methane through fracking and underground coal gasification would cause tremendous damage to all of the above and have a extremely negative effect on the health of both plants and animals(including humans). :The need to find alternatives to fossil fuel as a matter of urgency to combat climate change. :The need to find alternative, green methods of public transport :An education system that teaches our children how to live in harmony with our environment first and foremost, at every level. This would involve an approach that recognizes that our species is a part of that natural world rather than the recent centuries' presumptions that we were somehow in combat with it. : Large corporations who put financial profit above all else! This attitude seeps destructively into our examination led education system. :The need for sustainable fishing and farming(including alternative ways of farming that don't use destructive pesticides). GM crops. Large corporations' monopoly on seeds for farming. The need for a global approach and a community approach simultaneously......(the list goes on>>>)

25. Too few people care, too many vested interests exploit the environment. Too little is being done to conserve and restore biodiversity.

26. Litter, fires,

27. A "price" being put on nature as a "resource" for human benefit - intrinsic value never mentioned In appropriate management (over tidying/ management sometimes by well meaning interest groups to under/ lack of management Invasive non native species Intensification of farming, fishing and urbanisation Death by a thousand cuts Climate change I could go on!!

28. People and their lack of concern and the way adults don't interact with their children. Our courtship with private transport is killing the natural environment it will still be here when we are gone (older people) but I'm afraid of the legacy we will leave behind. Education is paramount

29. The real consequences of human interference are quite worrying....... climate change and pollution (e.g. chemicals, rubbish) are the most concerning. This planet will not be a nice place to live in 200 years time if humans continue living as we do, there will be over population, vast droughts and floods, famines, species


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extinctions, reduction of habitable land for humans and wild animals/plants.... A extensive social change needs to happen if we are to maintain and enhance our natural environment.

30. Reduction of pollution levels, viability of wildlife and their habitats, maintenance of mixed woodland, wise stewardship of what is not ours, ways of combining human needs for housing with viability of the natural environment

31. Globally population is increasing; there is more and more pollution. Rubbish is on the increase, there is more intensive farming to satisfy a growing population, the use of pesticides is wide spread, which is affecting wildlife and a concern is how it is affecting our pollinators. Packaging is on the increase, we create too much rubbish, locally recycling facilities are good, but that is not necessarily widespread across the UK, and certainly not the case in other countries.

32. The extreme views of some relating to a protectionism of what is not a true "natural environment" but almost entirely man made in one form or another. A rational and pragmatic consensus is required.

33. All degradation, climate change

34. Loss of wildlife and natural landscape

Q5. Who do you think is most responsible for looking after our natural resources?

1. Everyone

2. All of us, government, business and individuals

3. Local and central government because individuals do not have the power.

4. Everybody should take responsibility. the youth and adults of today should think twice about the waste we generate and the damage we do through our day to day activities.

5. All of us

6. We are Authorities

7. Government, local authorities, natural resources Wales

8. Ourselves

9. Agencies, environmentalists, governments

10. Everyone

11. Don't really know. I would like to say all of us. It should be our responsibility, both by our individual actions and our support of national parks, environmental organisations etc, how we vote, in local and general elections, and what, how and where we buy things but there are always things to do with big business and finances that over-rule things and politicians don't often mean what they say.

12. Welsh Government as they ultimately fund management

13. All of us Landowners Councils, governments, companies

14. Local government by encouraging, supporting and funding smaller groups, wildlife trusts and individuals

15. The community who live in it

16. Government, councils, land owners.

17. Everyone should be.

18. All of us WG LA Schools, community groups, public, citizens

19. NRW


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20. We all are but Natural Resources Wales and the Local Authority have key roles

21. Every one of us is responsible but we need better education about how, as individuals, we can make a difference. Government policy on climate change SHOULD be responsible but the current strategies are too focused on an "industrial", market led, financial model that separates "economy" from "environment" (e.g. Economists do not recognize the value in living trees - even if we can't breathe without them!).

22. No one "looks after" them; the natural world responds to what happens within and to the environment. A better question would be, "Who is most responsible for regulating and controlling what we do to the environment?" Or, alternatively, "Who is most responsible for stopping, eliminating, and reversing the damage caused to the environment?"

23. We all are

24. Everyone - please don't call it a resource!

25. Us

26. Our governments must ensure land users, manufacturers, producers are producing products which are environmental friendly in every way - otherwise they pay an environment tax based on how much it would cost to clean up the environment as a result of their products. The governments also need to ensure the people of their country are educated correctly in what we need to change and how we can do it and support organisations to help make this happen.

27. We all are responsible but need some direction from experts on the natural environment

28. Us- the public Natural Resources Wales Local Authorities The Government Business- they should act responsibly.

29. The term "Natural Resources" is far more than our enjoyment of a hike in the Brecons. We still need the quarries to build the roads to get there, the dredged sand for the new homes we need more of. The many renewable power solutions are also utilising our natural resources for good. All of us have responsibility for the environment, which we have delegated to specialists and interest groups. These have an instinctive response to reject change.

30. Welsh Government

Q6. In what ways do you think our natural resources could be better managed?

1. More partnership working with public etc. Link everybody up

2. Greater importance given to the services provided by the natural environment

3. 1.Stop thinking of the natural environment as a 'resource' to be used by us!! 2. Stop paying lip service to the idea of protecting the environment and just DO it! 3. A bit of joined up thinking would also help - Swansea's wild flower areas are pretty but from an environmental point of view are useless especially when weed killer is sprayed on first!

4. Natural resources should be accessible to all be it countryside, water, woodland, etc. Geographical Areas of responsibility should be set up with dedicated management teams that are reachable by the public in those districts. Area managers should ideally live and work in these areas and get a feel for the requirements and views of the people living in the communities at large.


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5. Using publicly owned land to deliver habitat for pollinators and local food growing. More trees in urban areas. improving access to green space to encourage outdoor recreation. Improved water quality to benefit tourism, swimmers and wildlife. Educating children about the benefits of being outdoors and how to protect the environment.

6. Safe Alternative forms of energy need funding Waster management / recycling Packaging - biodegradable

7. Prevent pollution, especially plastic as used in temporary fencing

8. Cooperation by all

9. Strategically!

10. More funding!

11. Too big a question for me. Less eye on immediate monetary profit , more attention paid to sustainability. Better education on the value of our natural environment. Getting children out into the natural world rather than indoors all the time. Encouraging planners to see the overall picture rather than just grabbing any piecemeal development that promises money. Links between projects in different areas. Co-operation between all environmental groups. Lobbying politicians. I wish I knew how to get individuals to accept responsibility for their own actions and see the consequences. Perhaps more advertising . I remember the so-called public education campaigns of the 50's and 60's. You can never start too young.

12. Stronger planning control to protect green areas from development more enforcement of legislation to protect the natural environment

13. Increase in GDP should not be the deciding factor of improvements in Wellbeing, sustainability and the relationship to our environment and the quality of that environment, urban and rural, physical and social need to be in there, and green space and the ecology within it are vital factors.

14. More conservation and preservation laws which should be properly enforced

15. Support for local environmental and conservation initiatives - finance, expertise and engagement

16. Eradicate Japanese knotweed.

17. More engagement between scientific community and government who dictate policy, leading to a greater dialogue regarding sustainable development over short term capital gains.

18. More education Better pathways, advertised routes, facilities to encourage people to use them. Clear planning policy to protect as much as possible

19. Enhance natural area network. Re-think conifer 'tree farm' mentality. Mix species, extend rotation lengths, thin to enhance structure?

20. We need to recognize our environment not as a "resource" as such but rather as our life support system and see ourselves as a part of that rather than mere "users" of it. So yes, we need to encourage people to connect with nature before they can protect it as they would themselves - to see their survival as integrally linked to the survival of their natural environment. This needs to be encouraged on a local, community level in order for this to work. You have to know the land to connect with and protect it, I think that's just part of our human nature. Ultimately our natural resources should be taken out of the hands of those who seek to profit purely in financial terms from it. Yes, we need to build homes, but they should be eco-homes, built from sustainable resources. They'd possibly take longer, cost more initially but the long term costs to the environment would be minimal and this could repair areas


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that have been previously devastated by industry and commerce. Our natural resources should be managed for sustainability and in a way that enhances our environment. Fossil fuel should be left in the earth, wind, wave and solar are more than adequate alternatives to produce electricity and we need a sustainable bio-gas alternative for the interim switch to electricity. I don't think our economy would go to wrack and ruin either - there'd be plenty of work in the green, sustainable sector if it was allowed to blossom. We need to manage our natural resources with absolute integrity so the current corporate dash to make a quick profit is brought to an abrupt halt. It also needs to be global so other parts of the world don't suffer at our expense.

21. Stop, eliminate and reverse the damage that humans cause; the natural world responds to whatever happens, so make good things happen to achieve restorative responses.

22. More participation and responsibility from the local community

23. This question could be taken 2 ways. I will assume by management if means protected rather than exploited! Ensure suitable surveys undertaken in the first instance and appropriate evidenced based conservation actions undertaken with surveillance and monitoring built in. Also need to look at connectivity between sites for species and permeability

24. Getting our priorities right and moving grant funding away from transport related matters (HS2, Roads, etc.)

25. A number of organisations overlap in what they do either government organisations, voluntary, non-profit or businesses. All organisations (government and non-government, profit and non-profit) need to be assessed and determined what they deliver and how they deliver it. Then an umbrella organisation would determine how best to utilise the skills of the organisations and divide work accordingly and review the plan every five years.

26. Considerations for the viability of the natural environment should play a prominent part in all our development considerations-we should not just be looking at our own lives now but the lives of future generations-we are stewards of something which we should be passing on to the next generation for them to enjoy and be filled with wonder at

27. Government cuts mean governing bodies and local authorities have less resources and man power to look after our natural resources. Education is important, I don't feel there is enough effort into teaching the wider public about the natural environment and therefore people do not act responsibly and simple changes in practices could really help the current pressures on the environment. There isn't enough effort from the government to pressurize large companies to reduce, re-use and recycle- packaging has gone crazy. We are building new houses and the planning of this is not done sustainably and even though technology and research is there we are not building eco-housing and this is not sustainable.

28. The recent reorganisation to form NRW contains many conflicts in purpose or strategy. These must be adjudicated upon for the mutual benefit of all and not one aspect. A clearer management policy with a strong political backing is necessary. Those concerned should not "sit on the fence".

29. By giving natural resources a higher priority for conserving and protecting than it has had.


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Appendix 3: Face-to-face Survey Responses (Q3-Q6)

Q3. What benefits of the natural environment do you most value?

1. Peace and quiet tranquility. Natural habitat for wildlife is very important

2. Trees and Green Spaces

3. Protection for the natural environment is important. The bay is important and clean water.

4. The space and freedom to walk.

5. Being able to get in the outdoors, value green spaces.

6. I enjoy being outside

7. Clean environment and the trees

8. The beauty of nature

9. Don't know

10. Fresh air

11. Space, fresh air and cleanliness

12. The scenery

13. makes us alive

14. un-spoilt scenery to walk in.

15. Nature for both people and wildlife. I enjoy watching wildlife. Helps to keep fit.

16. Open spaces and green spaces for wildlife

17. Being able to go outside and walk the dog. SPACE

18. Beautiful areas for walking and enjoying nature

19. Fresh Air and being able to go walking outdoors.

20. I like the trees, and a clean environment.

21. I like being able to walk the dog in nice places, parks and on the beach. Food is very important, I like to shop locally and at the Uplands market

22. I like the calmness effect the environment has on the kids.

23. Fresh air and scenery and trees and waves by the sea.

24. Greenery, plants and birds singing. The sea is pleasant, for de-stressing and unwinding and relaxing. Enjoy the picnic benches and the sunshine.

25. Grew up in the country-side, don't like the city just enjoy being out in the open

26. Clean air. Freedom, peace and tranquility. To get away from the society’s materialist greed.

27. Scenery, great place for activities and keeping fit and healthy.

28. Living qualities of the environment, clear air and clean environment. Relaxing.

29. The scenery (when moved away it was missed). The openness.

30. Public space in which to walk. Green spaces.

31. Fresh air and calming environment. The sea and the parks

32. The beauty of it.

33. Condition of the town in the form of cleanliness is important.

34. Fresh air and a place to keep healthy and fit for family time.

35. Healthier- because you are active outside, being outside makes you happier. Outdoors socialising is healthier than being in-doors watching TV


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36. A spiritual calming, sense of space. Regardless of physical activity for me it is ultimately a spiritual connection.

37. Beautiful views, landscape and freedom of open access.

38. Space from people and space from urban landscape.

39. Being able to go outdoors and walk the dog every day. Its peaceful and good for my health. It keeps me fit

40. Fresh clean air and the natural woodlands with bird songs.

41. I like it to be tidy; I walk the dog every day.

42. Open spaces and the environment being clean and fresh.

43. Being able to go outside to play. The children benefit especially educational.

44. I spend a lot of time at home, as I am not well. But I enjoy going out into nature, its relaxing.

45. Fresh air and cleanliness

46. The peace and beauty. I love nature, flowers, birds. Important for everyone.

47. Trees and nature.

48. Cleanliness is important. Children, happy in nature love spiders!

49. Visuals- beautiful scenery. Walking for health reasons.

50. Freedom being able to walk away from pollution and urban landscape.

51. The beauty and the natural space.

52. We go out a lot; the kids need to be outside, and not playing on their computers. They learn a lot more that way.

53. Oxygen, fresh air. Some where to go- that is beautiful.

54. The coast, beaches, walks on the Gower and parks.

55. Fresh air and exercise and getting away from cars and pollution

56. Beautiful to look at- enjoying wildlife.

57. The quiet peace and calm helps introspect and think about the future. It is motivating.

58. Air- fresh air, peace and quiet. Makes you feel better and cheers you up. The dog loves the outdoors.

59. I like green spaces being outdoors, fresh air is good for you, physical and mental well being.

60. Food production. Some natural areas need to be set aside for aesthetic purposes.

61. Place to relax, good for your well-being

62. Calmness and peace- getting away from hassle and bustle.

63. Birds growing trees and plants. Freedom for the dogs.

64. Beaches and parks, really peaceful.

65. The open spaces.

66. All the green spaces, its like a little oasis from all the concrete. Peace.

67. Fresh air and nature itself.

68. Important- bees/ flowers- pollination is important. Wildflowers especially important.

69. I find it de-stressing and uplifting to be in the natural environment. Good for health.

70. Fitness and health, good for both physical and mental well being. Helps with de-stressing. Peaceful.


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71. I value the nature and wildlife and I like being able to walk in parks. Trees are important.

72. Air, Clean Water for drinking and swimming and good food

73. Peace and tranquility, being able to go outside and walk.

74. The parks.

75. Being outdoors, the children play, relax and learn about nature.

76. I enjoy family time in the outdoors. We take our bikes on the cycle path, keep us fit.

77. Being outdoors, I enjoy going to the beach, the coast has beautiful scenery.

78. Keeps me fit, mentally active and the dog loves nature. I go outside everyday, its relaxing.

79. I can't get about as much, but I like walking along the canal and watching the ducks. Its nice.

80. I like the peace and the trees and the open space, I walk the dog in parks.

81. Relaxing to be outdoors, and walking in the nature. Peaceful.

82. Nice places to go to.

83. Fitness, I cycle a lot, Health and well-being is a real benefit. It helps calm and relax me. I enjoy visiting woodlands and trees are very important.

Q4. What are your main concerns about the natural environment?

1. Pollution, in particular air pollution especially coming from cars. Take over of land for building and therefore reducing green spaces

2. Trees being cut down

3. Too much felling of trees. If they are not dangerous why are they cutting them down?

4. Lots of dog mess (Fendrod lake) and litter.

5. No cutting the grass due to cut backs. It’s a battle with the council. Very worried about green spaces going.

6. Litter, people dumping litter

7. Littering is a concern, especially dog mess. Also people cutting down trees

8. People cutting down trees and loss of biodiversity.

9. No concerns

10. Too much development, concerned green spaces will be taken over

11. Litter and pollution

12. Biodiversity, animals and wildlife should be protected and maintained.

13. Cleanliness and protection for green spaces and wildlife

14. More buildings going up and less places to walk.

15. Litter and dog mess. Streams need to be kept clean, there is pollution and lots is being dumped. Fly-tipping.

16. There is too much development and disappearance of green spaces and wildlife.

17. Too much building

18. Lots of litter. Not enough is being done

19. Some areas are not being looked after. Lots of Litter round


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20. Pollution, too much Carbon emissions

21. GM foods are not good, and I dislike the use of pesticides. Litter, especially dog mess is sometimes an issues, dog owners should pick up after their dogs but sometimes not enough bins.

22. Pollution, litter is a big concern

23. CO2 emissions and global warming. Litter is a concern- everywhere. Glass bottles on the beach

24. Lots of sand been blown on the walking areas. Footpath and bike tracks should be wider. Changing weather – could be global warming but it could just be the weather. There should be more toilet facilities in the bay.

25. Encroachment of both commercial buildings and housing on green spaces. Also grass fires.

26. That we are killing the environment. We are polluting it and suffocating the earth.

27. Littering: participated in beach clean but concerned about litter.

28. Pollution

29. Very concerned with what’s happening with Fracking and the Tidal Lagoon, which could possibly mean our beaches and landscapes are compromised. Mans activities- and more buildings

30. Sustainability, balance between people and wildlife.

31. Litter is a concern, (cigarette butts and cans. Grass fires are a concern.

32. General pollution-litter is bad.

33. Litter is a concern

34. Rubbish, too many people.

35. Litter, pollution, that it is not kept clean. Tourism needs to be controlled to avoid over-population and keep the peace, tranquility and cleanliness. Preserve the environment and stop over-development.

36. The various ways in which mankind is polluting and destroying it. Loss of pollinating creatures.

37. Water quality, climate change and pollution. There are poor building practices. Lack of respect by people for the environment e.g. vandalism in nature reserves with quad bikes etc.

38. Pollution -litter, CO2 emissions, and industrial pollution. Global warming , sea level rise, ocean acidification and changing weather are all concerns.

39. Pollution, especially people fly tipping. I saw a fridge this morning. Also industrial pollution is worrying.

40. Man is doing too much landscaping and cutting down trees, making it all un-natural. Basically over-landscaping and intervening too much.

41. Wildlife- loss of habitat. People don't respect wildlife.

42. Pollution especially exhaust fumes. There is a washery behind our house, and it is very dusty. Air quality is a concern as well as noise pollution.

43. I am concerned about loosing the natural environment. Loss of safe natural environment.

44. Litter is a concern- people with dogs should pick up after themselves.

45. Rubbish and litter especially fly-tipping is a concern.

46. We’re not looking after it properly. It is abused. Pollution and litter.


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47. People are cutting down trees. I am not sure why? Litter is also a concern

48. Litter lots of litter in Brecon.

49. Lots of people don't appreciate it, lots of litter being dumped.

50. I worry that cities will encroach on the natural environment, Exhaust emissions are a concern.

51. Litter, not enough bins. Noise pollution and traffic.

52. Some places are not safe. Here it is safe….got to watch them by the water, but it is safe.

53. Not enough recycling bins in parks.

54. Encroachment. Nice parks are important, with government cuts this is at risk.

55. Business corporations destroying the environment and there is no re-investment. Against Fracking.

56. Development on natural habitats e.g. housing. Eutrophication and pollution affecting wildlife.

57. Littering, and lack of trees are concerns.

58. Development, lack of green spaces. Places like the rainforest being cut down, affecting air quality. Destruction of habitat affecting wildlife.

59. Sustainable fishing, food production, intensive farming encroaching on green spaces.

60. Don't trust the government policy on fracking, skeptical of the extent of which the conservative party care for the environment. We need to think about climate change and stay away from nuclear power and fossil fuels.

61. Littering, climate change. Too many greenhouse gases.

62. The rainforest, lack of trees. Building on green spaces.

63. Not enough green spaces. Encroachment on green spaces, they are planning building in Killay and Clyne Valley and Townhill too.

64. Water quality in Brynmill, smelly.

65. Litter. We don't do enough. Not enough bird boxes etc.

66. Building on green spaces and ruining it. Encroachment.

67. Pollution spoiling the natural environment i.e. smoke, chemicals and rubbish especially all the packaging. Too much building work - building on beautiful sites.

68. Climate change.

69. Property developers want to build in green spaces and parks. I feel Singleton is threatened. Loosing lots of trees, and they are not being replaced.

70. Pollution- noise, traffic, exhaust fumes. Loss of habitats for wildlife. Against Fracking.

71. I am against Fracking. Pollution is a concern, too many exhaust fumes. Air quality concerns.

72. I don't like GM foods, Farming practices are intensive and pollute. We need to regulate better.

73. Litter pollution, fly-tipping. I am against fracking, and worried what the tidal lagoon will look like.

74. Litter and pollution. Cutting down trees and parks are not maintained

75. Encroachment, there are too many buildings, and businesses are taking up natural environment. Lots of litter as well.


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76. Some areas are not safe, can be difficult in places.

77. Climate change, the government, not doing enough, lots of storms in the winter affecting people and businesses.

78. Other dog users don't pick up after their dogs. Not enough bins, there is litter and I can see trolley further down the river. Grass fires have been bad recently, they are dangerous and they are destroying the land.

79. There aren't enough places for the kids. There is a lot of litter. Concerned about wildlife and the effect of pollution and is the water okay?

80. Too much development, they should build on brown field sites. Parks are not properly kept; kids drinking by the river areas aren't safe.

81. Air Quality, pollution - lots of exhaust fumes - traffic. And litter

82. I can't get abut anymore as much, its difficult to get to places. Worried about changes like storms and flooding and fires.

83. Too much litter. Too many trees being cut down. Will there be cuts, in the environmental sector? Tories will not look after our natural resources.

Q5. Who do you think is most responsible for looking after our natural resources?

1. We all are responsible. We should all take responsibility. Also the council/government should have a duty of care for the environment and therefore make the relevant legislation

2. All of us. The government

3. Everybody/ government

4. We are, everybody needs to take part.

5. Individuals, all of us.

6. All of us

7. All of us. Council. Government

8. We are

9. Not sure I don't use it

10. We are responsible. The council.

11. We all are

12. All of us

13. environment agency

14. Local government and council.

15. the public and park keepers

16. Everybody- people should take responsibility to keep it clean and litter free. Government- its their duty.

17. All of us.

18. The government

19. Us

20. The Government and council, and individuals.

21. The government, council and communities.

22. We all are, the council but not enough money is available

23. Individuals must take responsibility and every level of government


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24. Some parts are well looked after by the council, but some parts are not.

25. Everyone

26. Government and us.

27. Everyone is responsible.

28. Everyone

29. We are responsible, but we don't have much say. It’s the councils ultimate decision. Welsh government came up with brilliant plans, but not sure it works everywhere for example road plans in the main centre of Swansea are diabolical.

30. Everyone. The local council.

31. Us, the government and the council

32. Everyone

33. The council

34. US, county council. They should impose fines for people who drop litter.

35. The government, the council, the developers, NRW. But CCW should be allowed to keep some of their community projects. Everyone should be responsible for keeping up litter after themselves.

36. We all are. There are maybe bodies such as Natural Resources Wales that look after the natural environment but ultimately I believe we are all responsible.

37. All of us. NRW

38. All people. Governments need to regulate industry.

39. All of us are responsible. People should pick up after themselves, sometimes there aren't enough bins.

40. Our government.

41. Everybody.

42. The council, they should do more. We have complained about the washery, but nothing has been done.

43. Public, everyone should take responsibility (especially people should take their litter with them). The council and the government.

44. Everybody.

45. Everybody Rangers, council, natural trust.

46. The government and everybody- personal responsibility.

47. Everybody really is responsible, but the council and the government really should do more.

48. The council, the public.

49. Everyone

50. People themselves, (look after litter etc, be responsible) the government.

51. The government and us.

52. Everyone, the council, the government.

53. Everyone.

54. People- everyone. The council and local authority.

55. Everyone

56. The council, us- the public especially in terms of litter.


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57. Everyone, Us and the local authority.

58. The government, forestry commission, national trust.

59. Society as a whole.

60. Whoever uses natural resources the most- farmers, business, politicians.

61. Everyone. Anyone who uses natural resources.

62. The government.

63. Countryside Council for Wales. National Trust. The local government.

64. Government. People, children.

65. We all play a part. Local authorities are not doing enough

66. Us, we all have a duty to preserve, not soil or litter. The council.

67. Everybody needs to play a part.

68. Man, the council they should maintain the parks and beaches.

69. The local council, Natural Resources Wales. National government.

70. Everyone. Government and local authority.

71. Everyone, the government.

72. NRW, the council, the Government.

73. The government.

74. The council, the government, and all of us.

75. All of us, the council.

76. All of us.

77. The government, everyone.

78. The council, but everyone is responsible.

79. Everyone, the council. Businesses.

80. The council.

81. Everyone, the council.

82. Everyone has to do their bit. The government.

83. Everyone, we all need to pick up litter, but also the government and council. NRW.

Q6. In what ways do you think our natural resources could be better managed?

1. New ways of creating new 'clean' energy is very important.

2. More people should re-use and recycle instead f throwing things away.

3. If there was more government support this would be good for Natural Resources Wales.

4. Don't know, mostly very happy and don't like to moan.

5. This is down to funding and therefore now difficult because of the new government. A lot more could be done with the facilities we have, maybe have a café at Fendrod, more picnic benches etc.

6. Fendrod is clean and good at the moment.

7. There should be more officers on the ground, monitoring the environment. More community projects, for people to get involved.

8. People just need t leave it alone

9. Not sure


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10. More bins.

11. More cycle to work schemes, better public transport. We should make an effort to reduce pollution.

12. People should be educated on what they should and should not be doing.

13. Not wasting any money and maybe cut back on management.

14. Funding is important.

15. Create more green spaces. Young people are not being taught how to appreciate the natural environment. Pest control and pollution prevention.

16. It's down to resources, we should have more wardens, litter collector and park wardens. But is there enough funding?

17. Not sure

18. More bins and more people monitoring the environment.

19. More people litter picking, but that means more money so it is difficult.

20. More renewables, should benefit local residents. Not sure about the tidal lagoon, it might spoil the bay and not benefit local residents.

21. More funding for small organic community run farms so local produce is available

22. Funding is an issue; it shouldn't come back to the tax payer. I think schools should offer more environmental education and should take advantage of the outdoors; it would make the kids calmer.

23. Renewable energy services could be used, tidal lagoon will be good.

24. Could spend more time looking after the environment If 'they' (council and private landowners) have the man power. Funding should be allocated to support the environment. Could also create more jobs. If there are cut-backs the environment suffers.

25. Not sure, its up to the government agencies to decide.

26. Involve communities. People take advantage of the environment and take it for granted. Not sure what else.

27. Not sure.

28. Use more renewable energy instead of coal.

29. Leave things alone, protect what we have. No more messing around.

30. More funding e.g. (I've been campaigning for more lighting in singleton park but it will have to go through the uni- no funding in the council.

31. Committee meetings, and community projects. More neighbourhood activities. Community service going more environmental stuff.

32. Government doesn’t manage things very well. Community projects and people should volunteer for litter picks etc.

33. Moore careful selection of how funding is spent, the environment needs to be kept clean and respectable.

34. More funding. I think the Tidal lagoon is positive. We should use our natural resources. Mountains are spoilt when wind turbines and the development around these encroaches.

35. NRW transition has meant that some projects are not running properly. Old CCW on Skomer have been scrapped and more funding should be allocated for volunteer projects.


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36. Work with nature not against it. Use the laws and legislative powers already in existence to fine big corporations that are polluting. Educate, educate, educate. Change farming practices.

37. Raising awareness, education. Stronger protection and legislation.

38. More funding, better regulation, more education and awareness. Designation for more marine reserves.

39. More rangers, and people watching out for fly tipping. It think this will need more funding.

40. Just leave nature to itself and less interference.

41. The council could do a bit more.

42. Better legislation and regulation particularly with regards to industry e.g. The washery.

43. More funding, to better maintain the natural environment- maybe through sponsorship.

44. I am not sure, better facilities?

45. Not sure.

46. More investment in renewable energy. The way we produce energy needs more thought.

47. More funding and education. More enforcement for those who do litter.

48. No bins, people aren't going to take litter home. Increase number of bins.

49. Better laws and legislation.

50. More funding to protect our natural resources. Places like Craig Y Nos rely n donations. I wouldn't mind paying more taxes, but worry its not going to the right place.

51. They should privatise parks, everything really, like Australia. So companies are made responsible for large country parks etc. Law should force companies to put money into parks. More devolution, and kind of model like say Welsh Water. Not-for-Profit.

52. People should be made more aware, so more education. Business should contribute to keep our areas clean and safe.

53. Pushing towards green energy is important, but wind turbines are very inefficient.

54. Make sure parks are well kept after, and this needs to be maintained.

55. More local involvement from local people into the management of local parks.

56. Employ more rangers, so that the natural environment is well maintained.

57. Individual responsibility, having programs with children and schools for planting trees, no litter campaigns. Building awareness.

58. There should be more green spaces. More teaching about the environment, the importance of bees etc.

59. Protecting natural resources. Being mindful of new housing development. Especially at legislation level.

60. Investment into renewable energy sources.

61. The council need to invest into more rangers, and more bins to keep parks well maintained.

62. Not building in green spaces. Concern over littering- there needs to be more recycling.


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63. More respect for green spaces, more building on brown field sites. Object to encroachment.

64. Not sure- trouble speaking English.

65. Cut out bureaucracy and red tape. e.g.: if I get out to put a bird box in singleton park, the council would say no. There should be more options for participating in management of local parks and beaches. No notification of doggie bags being removed.

66. Money- funding for maintenance for the natural environments we enjoy. Benches are falling apart.

67. Advertising good PR, show how people are taking care of their environment and also show the negatives, essentially environmental awareness. Teaching youngsters is important.

68. More funding, economical. They are saving money by doing away with dog bins buts its not viable.

69. Over-protection of natural spaces, and we can't do enough activities. People that can build are farmers- not fair. In favor of liberalisation of renewable energy planning. In favour of organic and local ethically grown food produces.

70. Look to invest in renewables. More recycling, but reduce/ re-use campaigns. More green spaces, more raising awareness at schools and universities. I belong to the conservation society bur more needs to be done.

71. We should invest in more renewables, and start to make Co2 reduction targets.

72. Better regulations at legislation level, more funding for enforcement. Funding for community organic food co-operatives for growing food locally.

73. Renewable energy, people shouldn't litter, fines a for people who litter and fly-tipping.

74. Not sure- no money to employ people to attend to parks.

75. Be good to have community groups, more of them to help look after parks and the natural environment.

76. Moore education and raising awareness. People aren't aware of what’s going on.

77. Not sure but governments need to get things right and put policies in place. It also no good one county doing one thing and others doing nothing.

78. Help setting up volunteer groups. More rangers looking after the environment.

79. I don't know.

80. More building regulations, they should build on brown field sites only. More youth programs, get them off the street and parks.

81. Solar panels, better public transport. More funding into renewable energy.

82. We need to look after our environment, keep it clean.

83. Cut backs won't be good. More should be done to try and avoid cuts, because we nee people to look after parks and woodlands e.g. Rangers.


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Appendix 4: Community Consultation Events Outputs

Forge Fach Community Centre, Clydach Event

(7th May – 8 participants – Timeline Activity)

Timeline Activity: Past

Beautiful landscape

Big open spaces

Places for Adventure

Air quality used to be very poor

Tin works/copper works

Blacksmith & Abattoir

As a person who grew up with green belts it was important

Rivers were polluted and ran yellow in parts

Waste in the canal

A lot of people suffered from illness due to poor air quality with all the works

Coal tips and opencast mines

More heavy industry

Hay meadows

There were a lot more insects

50 years ago the river used to be very polluted

Sewerage entered the river

Timeline Activity: Present

Air quality is greatly improved

Health & Safety rules seem to prevent children from enjoying

Increase in car transport

Increase in noise from bypass

Greener environment

Environment is more cleaner

New Mond Inco works now controlled

Policy is driving change but this is not enough community education is the key

Children do not interact with the environment enough

Timeline Activity: Future

We must encourage youngsters to get outside and play in a safe environment

There is an industrial past, now extinct

The Tawe is a wonderful natural habitat

Like to see future use of the upper Clydach river that feeds into the Tawe at Pontardawe

I would like it to be more natural

Solar power on all new builds – houses / schools


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Greening of all roads – More trees

Ban paving back gardens

Electricity generated from the aqua duct/by-washes of Swansea Canal

Better systems of managing toilet waste not using treated drinking water.

More cycle lanes on roads.

Preserve & interpret the historical heritage of the Tawe valley

What benefits from the natural environment do you value most?

Being able to go out and enjoy the outdoors

A national park with open spaces

Trees & the naturalness of things

The previous generation grew up with the pollution and mess including illness such as TB from mining and coal tips

The removal of the tips after sad disasters such as Aberfan

Huge planting of trees in the enterprise zone and at Kilvey

Big influx of people from industry

What are your main concerns about your local environment?

More housing developments

Development is often at a cost of green space

Properties should have solar panels

They should make it easy for solar panels to be incorporated in housing

Housing needs to be made more sustainable

Removal of gardens

Concreting gardens plays a massive part in flooding in this area

Big problems with farming as they drain the land

Mobile phone masts

Invasive species like Himalayan balsam

How could our natural resources be better managed?

Plant more trees

Use Swedish methods of managing waterways

New developments with wetlands

Grey water tanks

Improvements of infrastructure to prevent raw sewerage into the rivers

Technology is important for the future

Get the younger generation more active via education

More can be done at a local level with community groups


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The Welfare Hall, Ystradgynlais Event

(14th May – 8 participants – mapping activity)

Mapping Activity: Upper Tawe Map

Cycle track route 43 needs attention & extension

Preservation of Waun Fignen Felen

Manage Pen y Bryn estate

High street regeneration in the Upper catchment towns

Potential for better tourism

Marketing of local heritage in the upper catchment

Henrhydd Falls is beautifully kept and an awesome place to visit

Micro-hydro could help more farmers to generate income

Not enough maps/interpretation in the upper catchment

Ystradgynlais has unspoilt charm needs preserving

Work with schools in catchment is key – Maesydderwen Comprehensive

Roman fort in Coelbren isn’t well maintained

Existing limited interpretation is poorly maintained

River hard to access in parts

Lots of litter on the trig point on-top of the Cribath

Cribath mountain is beautiful

Spawning Salmon in the river needs looking after

Paths need repairing along lots of routes

Restoration of Nant Helen OPC

Ynyswen is trying to build a new community centre that will provide for walkers on Cribath

Penwylt is a beautiful place and not well recognised

No path up to the top of the Cribath it is very dangerous in places

Mapping Activity: Middle Tawe Map

Green space management

Nature preservation along Tawe River

Interpretation Panels along Tawe catchment – Route 43

Otter survey in area required

Manage areas with waterfalls

Mixed uses on the Tawe for sharing natural resources – Kayakers & Anglers

Scenery is great but more environmental voluntary programmes for community required

Develop Diamond Park

Love the Penrhos cycle path area

Ynysdawela park is perfect – keep it that way

Lots of rubbish on the river bank


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Need to preserve the Ystradgynlais Arches

Mynydd Gelliwastad is full of wildlife but lack of management is causing heathland to become more wooded so loss of unique habitat

More tourism support for small businesses in the middle catchment

Tourism is not being promoted on the river and surrounding areas

Mapping Activity: Lower Tawe Map

Wind turbines might affect the peregrines nesting

Himalayan Balsam problems

Keep the community boat

Promote tourism


Walking

The scenery of the Tawe

Cultural heritage of the area

The cycle tracks

Freedom to roam

Plants & trees to reduce the risk of flood

Mental health benefits of the natural/unspoilt environment

Reservoirs

Space

Location of the catchment ideal for harnessing its uses


Windfarms

Fracking

How people treat the Tawe catchment

Keeping heritage locations memorable

Lack of management structure

Money to make a difference in parts that need

Above Morriston hospital has got really wooded with Silver Birch – Its not managed

People cutting down ancient woodland

Concerns about grass fires – By Ystalyfera & Cray reservoir

Concerns about planning permission in the future that might enable developers to build in greenspaces –Abercraf/Yneswen

Flood plains

Litter


Sewerage running into river at Abercrave

Opencast restoration

Opportunities for Hydro


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Community Owned infrastructures

Solar farms better than windfarms

More localised communications and plans

More infrastructure such as hotels to encourage tourism up the catchment

Plan for transition to retain people to the area by job creation

Utilise our rainfall in the catchment to create jobs

Get roads/paths developed for more things such as recreational value

More community involvement such as youth initiatives

Areas to develop food growing/produce outlets

Tourism development

Environmental education

Wild places to be used for schools


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Crymlyn Visitor Centre Event

(3rd June – 4 participants – Thoughtscapes Activity)

Thoughtscapes Activity: Dots

wind turbine image – 1 red dot

Craig-y-Nos image – 1 red dot / 4 green dots

millipede nature image – 3 green dots

fisherman and trolley image – 3 green dots

Copper Quarter and Liberty image – 2 red dots / 3 green dots

Beacons mountain image - 3 green dots

Beacons river image – 4 green dots

children playing in trees image – 3 green dots

docks image -1 red dot / 1 green dot

Thoughtscapes Activity: Comments

Using the river for the community.

Restoration of the Copper works site is excellent

Docklands are an eyesore and need tidying up

Dubious about wind turbines

Old Tawe bridge piles near Sainsbury’s are eyesore

Use of the river Tawe for leisure is excellent

Allotments – Excellent

Litter

Open up access – More maps/signs/bridleway access

Rubbish clearing

Gorse fires – Fire breaks required

Community Farm is important

Land regeneration – Broadleaf replanting & protection

Forests & trees are vital for flood protection & community use

Rights-based education needed

Community self-sufficiency & sustainability

River bus transport

Culture & heritage preservation

People have become accustomed to seeing litter

Upper catchment is beautiful

Using the river for commuting

Vetch Veg urban agriculture needs to be expanded

Heritage such as Copper works is important to our identity

Forest schools are important

Dog walkers – Pros & cons as dog waste is a real issue

Wind turbines not unsightly but have many ecological issues


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The aesthetic value and biodiversity should be protected from development


Biodiversity has great aesthetic and practical value

Access to space and only half hour away from the city

Fresh water

Quietness

Air quality

Finding new things

Green spaces & trees contribute to flood defence


Not understanding who owns all the pieces of land - ownership details need to be made easier to access for local people

Land on Kilvey Hill is sold off but not to the community who could better manage it for community use

NRW & Swansea Council need to communicate between each other regarding Kilvey Hill who owns what parts and what can be managed locally

City centre improvements need wider community input

Better building techniques need to be enforced on developers in Swansea

Too much concrete due to people removing gardens resulting in localised flooding

An increase in invasive species such as Knotweed and Balsam but concerns over lack of management as it is spreading

Motor bikes – They need their own space so they don’t tear up paths on Kilvey Hill and other open spaces in the catchment

Better links with Police/PCSO service for reporting problems

The river boat is a great idea but the route needs to be expanded

Limited places to access the river

Not a great deal of interpretation on the river


NRW could work more closely to support community groups like Kilvey Volunteers to help manage important places like the hill

Wider input including the younger generation is important

Native British trees need to be planted on the hill to encourage regeneration

Dedicated bike space required to reduce them on places like the hill

Zones for riders/runners/walkers need better definition on Kilvey Hill

The Tawe catchment project needs wider promotion as many people won’t know what it is about – Perhaps using new technology

More local management plans need to be made with local people or groups input

Use the universities to help with research projects in the catchment


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Ostreme Centre, Mumbles Event

(3rd June – 3 participants – Thoughtscapes Activity)

Thoughtscapes Activity: Dots

wind turbine image – 1 red dot

Craig-y-Nos image – 3 green dots

millipede nature image – 3 green dots

fisherman and trolley picture – 2 green dots

Copper Quarter and Liberty image – 1 red dot / 2 green dots

Beacons mountain image - 2 green dots

Beacons river image – 2 green dots

children playing in trees image – 3 green dots

docks image -1 red dot

Thoughtscapes Activity: Comments

Litter is a problem across catchment

River boat is great family resource

Wildlife is important to protect

Rubbish clearing required

Leisure is great way to bring people into catchment


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Harness wind power in the catchment

Mountains and rivers important to protect for all to enjoy

Urban projects like Vetch Veg – Great idea

Cyclists/runners/ - Paths and routes need constant work to maintain

Biodiversity is so important to look after

Using the river for more range of activity

Being outdoors is essential


Walking & exploring

Fresh Air

Wildlife Habitats

The delight of the countryside

Clyne/Singleton parks are a blessing


Ferrous leach into the stream at Clyne

The effects on biodiversity without protection

Harnessing power such as wind/water in the catchment

The tidal lagoon is a worry

Balance on renewables versus biodiversity sacrifice

Building on flood plains is a concern

Better building techniques for private developers

Concreting gardens plays a massive part in flooding in this area

Mobile phone masts are a concern popping up all over catchment

Invasive species like Himalayan balsam


Utilising our plentiful supply of water

More collaboration between the community & NRW

Change attitudes to litter

Litter profiling in the catchment to come up with a strategy to tackle better

Thinking of better ways to manage waste – Waste power generation

Educating people to self-manage sites

Working at a more local level with community groups

Economic driven use of natural resources


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Veg Vetch Community Garden, Sandfields

(10th June – 16 participants – mapping activity)

Mapping Activity: Upper Tawe Map

Improve water quality in the Tawe catchment

Natural Beauty of the catchment

More growing spaces in Upper catchment required

The beacons is beautiful

Air quality is good in upper catchment needs improving in lower

Mapping Activity: Middle Tawe Map

Protect the wildlife along the River and in the catchment

Ancient woodland at Gelli Wasted has lots of wildlife that is important to protect

Cwm Capel is a beautiful place to visit

Protect the Tawe river

More signage/interpretation across the catchment

Mapping Activity: Lower Tawe Map

Children need spaces to play

Protect existing green spaces such as parks/open spaces

Protect the dunes – Butterfly / Moth/ wildflower habitats

Protect and enhance the woodland corridor along Townhill/Mayhill

Preserve the ancient forest at Glais as it has lots of fossil plants

Keep Vetch park - No building or developing it

Keep green spaces in city centre

Retain the Vetch for food growing

Consultation is positive but action after required

Building on the marina with little supporting infrastructure

Keep Vetch park as a park for the community

More work needs to be done to protect the beach & dunes

Community collaboration is vital to protect important places in the catchment


Places to be

Unspoilt places still exist in the catchment

Improved air & water over the years

Wealth of biodiversity

Swansea has so much to offer

Places to relax

Swansea bay is great for the family to visit

Being close to nature makes you happy

Health benefits being outdoors


- 34 -

Local food growing is much better for you

Having places to meet/socialise

People are more aware of their environment but more needs to be done


Protecting areas for future generations

Water quality in parts of the catchment – run off/pollution

Better flood defences

Tidal lagoon is a big concern

Building on flood plains makes no sense

Parks need management

Better building techniques need to be enforced via council

Properties should have solar panels

Invasive species like Knotweed & Himalayan balsam need controlling


Collaboration to manage projects needs to happen

Consultation is positive but action and listening is required

Local plans need community input

The council needs to comply with new legislation

Income generate using alternative power

Communication of plans essential

Need more funding to develop projects like Vetch Veg


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Appendix 5: Smart Nature Website Forum Comments

The following are transcripts from the comments sections of the Smart Nature website. Some minor amendments have been made to correct spelling and grammar errors.

Mines and quarries

8th June 2015

Planning conditions should include provision for recording and sampling for geological science purposes during the operational phase and, where practical, retention of representative exposures of geological features at restoration phase. Consideration should also be given, within the limitations of health and safety, to promoting research and educational opportunities whilst the geological resource is being worked. The latter can sometimes include student placements for work experience. Ideally, the mining/quarrying company should provide the funding for the work described above, which is unlikely to be significant in relation to overall costs, and such work often provides useful feedback for improving efficiency of the working and/or additional training opportunities for company staff. I will be happy to provide an input to any discussion of these matters, based on nearly 40 years experience as a professional geologist working in industry, research, education, environmental protection and geological conservation.

1st July 2015

Old mining sites don't create new habitats they replace lost habitats which are limited to the type of habitat and which are never as robust or as important as those lost in the first instance. Leachate from mine adits can cause pollution to rivers and ground water long after mines are closed. However we all use mined materials so do we do in this county with higher environmental legislation (but not always enforcement) or use material from other parts of the world with lower standards of safety for the environment and people?

7th July 2015

Abandoned quarries are reclaimed by nature at varying speeds according to the nature of the rock, its geographical context (elevation, exposure etc) and extraction techniques used. If re-naturalisation is not left to take its own course then we should also have some thought as to the cultural heritage which abandoned workings represent when 'landscaping' or 'reclaiming' old workings. Unsympathetic restoration can sterilise a site from a cultural point of view, as much as it might for its biodiversity. Preservation/conservation of geodiversity should be a key objective here too - retain interesting rock exposures for educational and interpretive reasons within constraints imposed by H&S.

Sand dunes and beaches

9th June 2015

I often wonder why nothing has been done to help the elderly and disabled to be able to park on the seafront to have their sandwiches and sit and watch the sandy beach and sea from inside their cars especially on a windy day. There are pedestrian and cycle tracks . I am now a pensioner and disabled .I’ve always loved the sea. I've been to other areas, such as south of England where you can drive on to a slip road and turn into a parking space, interspersed occasionally trees, and benches. Today, I went to Barry Island and parked up on the car park overlooking the sea .it was breathtaking. Also, most places don't charge disabled. Why does Swansea? I hope this gives you food for thought.


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Renewable energy

8th June 2015

it is imperative that we focus on our renewable energy resources. The UK and in particular Wales have some of the best wind resource in the Europe and this FREE asset is greatly untapped. This resource in inexhaustible and unlike solar power is present and reliable throughout the winter months. Thus reducing the reliance on Nuclear power or even worse - fracking. Our current lifestyles demand more and more energy and, as climate change is beginning to be evident, our nation needs to prepare and explore all avenues for alternative energy. Our Welsh hills and landscape has an abundance of wind and we should be harnessing it. Other locations such as Cornwall and Devon have been forward thinking and Wales should be as forward thinking. Other European countries such as Germany have far less wind potential than we do, yet are embracing this free source of energy.

30th June 2015

Our government should fund research into renewable energy at a much greater level than present.

21st July 2015

Renewable energy proposals should be promoted across the region, and considered against alternative forms of energy generation. The standard comparison should be: what would be better there, a nuclear power station, under ground gasification or some solar PV or wind turbines? Slight visual impact will be nowhere near as damaging to our communities in the future in comparison to climate change. In addition local councillors should be held personally accountable for decisions that they make based on prejudice not public policy.

3rd August 2015

Planning permission for a small, secluded and community-owned solar site on Gower was recently turned down due to Gower being an AONB. Development plans for Gower obviously need to be carefully thought-out - it's a wonderful spot - but it seems that the current planning system is in conflict with Welsh Government Climate Change targets and ambitions for the Well-Being of Future Generations Act. It seems incredibly difficult for individuals and small communities who are taking initiative and putting effort in to get very far - if the planning system was more supportive then I think people would be 'doing it for themselves' a lot more, taking some of the burden off government in the long run and enlivening communities in the process!

Waste and pollution

30th June 2015

I work for Fly Tipping Action Wales and we have developed a system called FlyMapper which maps fly tipping incidents on to a web based map via a smart phone app. Five Local Authorities in Wales use this system and we would like to roll this out wider. We have provided Swansea Council and NRW with demonstrations of this system and hope that they will utilise it in the future. The benefits include identifying hot spot areas so that resources can be targeted and improved opportunities for sharing data and partnership working. FlyMapper does not just provide accurate data but is a practitioners tool for managing incidents. This is a suggestion for improvement.


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Woodlands

7th July 2015

Woodland is generally good for rivers and catchments whilst forestry can have some negative affects such as changing soil and water chemistry, compaction and erosion during planting and harvesting. Woodland and forestry are generally on different parts of the catchment therefore should be in different categories.

Trees

17th July 2015

Swansea already has a lot of trees in its parks, gardens and on some brown field sites. There is still a massive opportunity to bring more trees into the city centre where trees can help improve air quality, soak up excess rainwater, provide shade, shelter from wind and make the place feel much nicer. To do this we need to choose the right trees for the right setting but also overcome barriers to tree planting such as fears about maintenance costs, etc.

3rd August 2015

This tree-mapping project (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/29/city-of-melbourne-prepares-to-see-some-emails-lovely-as-its-trees) in Melbourne, which had an unexpected side-effect of thousands of residents sending love-letters to the trees, is a great reminder of why we need to look after and plant trees - they are not only good for our health, we just love them, too!

Uplands areas

23rd June 2015

I would like to see sympathetic restoration of some of our upland areas to their natural wooded state - "re-wilding" if you like. As well as creating additional woodland habitat and improving biological connectivity, this would have the added bonus of slowing down the arrival of water into river systems in times of rainfall, and thereby reducing flood risks downstream. There are existing examples of this notably in Scotland and in Cwm Idwal in North Wales following the last major foot and mouth outbreak. Of course we might not want to lose the lovely (though essentially "man-made") open vistas of our uplands - the atmospheric "empty quarter" of the Mawr springs to mind - however, by careful zoning of re-wilded areas this openness could be retained. There would obviously be a need to work cooperatively with existing landowners, graziers and commoners on such a project.

1st July 2015

Upland farming hard work and not very profitable so farmers have had to increase stocking levels over the years which are now at unsustainable levels and now the uplands are over grazed causing compaction, loss of upland species, increasing run off rates and worsening flood events the lower catchment. Bogs, trees and vegetation generally - but especially native habitats act like huge sponges slowly releasing water that falls as rain. Habitats also (generally) slow down, soak up and store carbon dioxide and water so bioengineering is a essential natural "control" for flooding and carbon induced climate change. Bog restoration is a brilliant idea but take hundreds of years to create resilient robust bogs. Native woodland in some areas would be great too but bog species also in huge decline so arguable need more help.


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14th July 2015

It is disappointing to see people still using the terms 're-wilding' and 'natural wooded state' in the context of conservation of the uplands. The UK's moorlands and 'man-made open vistas', including mire habitats, fens, heath, blanket bog and marshy grassland are of international importance, the catchment of the Tawe in particular supporting many rare species of Lepidoptera, Odonata, and species on the red list under the European Birds Directive 2009/147/EC to name but a few. Many of these species survive here due to the area having avoided afforestation, and sustainable grazing systems are an essential part of maintaining healthy ecosystems in these upland habitats, avoiding devastating summer wildfires, and further loss of peatlands and rare ground nesting bird habitat. In fact, the Welsh Government consider peatlands with tree cover to be subject to widespread degradation. I would like to correct a couple of points that have been made on here: The vast majority of UK uplands are not presently 'overgrazed', and LSU densities on our commons are not at 'unsustainable levels'. If you have spent time walking the uplands since the 1980's you will see that away from the overgrazed verges and cattle grids, vast swathes of the uplands are actually currently undergrazed, and rank vegetation is adding to an increasing amount of unfavourable habitat, and potentially more frequent, severe and intense wildfires during long dry periods. The propensity and risk for these also seems to be increasing due to climate change. There is definitely potential in the Tawe catchment to create more valuable woodland habitat on eroding areas, steep slopes, and especially bracken dominated land, but these sites need to be looked at carefully as they can also be important habitats for certain species in their own right. The Welsh Government have set a target that all peatland supporting semi natural habitat, (approx 63,000 ha) will be subject to restoration by 2020. However, even with an ideal scenario of all our blanket bogs in favourable condition, acting as good Carbon sinks, whilst also providing excellent habitat for our endangered species, we will still have issues with flooding. It is a natural occurrence, and problems lower down the Tawe valley have occurred from widespread historical over development on much of the floodplain, and continuous development within it, relying on an antiquated system of storm drains, waste water systems and other natural resource infrastructures, causing a host of other environmental problems. I agree that bioengineering will need to play an essential part in managing our natural resources, but here probably more so than in the upper Tawe catchment, which like a sponge, can only 'hold back' so much water. Blanket bog creation and subsequent peat formation does take hundreds of years, but restoration can be achieved in a couple of decades on many sites, and has already been achieved in 10 years or so on strategic areas of the Tawe catchment, the aim being to stop the loss of peat through the cycle of oxidisation and subsequent erosion from both grazing pressure and extremes of weather. In the past this has caused a large amount of organic and inorganic C, and particulate C to disappear down the rivers, but as these areas are now becoming more stable, this is not such a big issue on the Tawe catchment. Water quality issues here generally emanate from highly populated areas lower in the flood plain, poor planning policies over the years, and lack of, or non existent sewage and waste water management systems.

Rivers

17th July 2015

I am concerned that some users are not very well catered for in terms of access to rivers. I think all rivers should have open access for kayakers and canoes as occurs in Scotland.


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Food production

30th June 2015

Food growing should be promoted in all schools. We can encourage all schools to aim to get at least one thing in the school dinner per day from the garden - even if it is just mint in the peas. The garden can be integrated in to all aspects of the school day and curriculum and opens up kinaesthetic and practical learning as well as more visual/auditory. We should also look to integrate cooking into the schools, many do not have access to kitchens, but there is a schools cooking bus in Wales, that have been commissioned at great cost, but now mothballed due to excessive running costs. However the Welsh Government seems unwilling to allow this bus to be used in other countries of the UK to amortise the costs and thus make it available to Welsh children - maybe we should be seeking to regain access to this. Getting children thinking of Food Metres as opposed to food miles and knowledge of production and preparation will support sustainable communities and allow us to build a Commonwealth of Value in our communities. Enablement is the key.

7th July 2015

Agriculture produces a lot of nitrate pollution affecting rivers and seas so should be reflected on the website and not as food production on a small scale community project.

Green spaces and parks

3rd August 2015

I often look at some of the grassy areas that aren't much used or are purely decorative flower beds and think it would be great to have some community growing projects / allotments - growing veg in visible spots in urban areas would also help to connect people (even those who aren't actually growing the veg, just passing by) with food a bit more. Elsewhere, I think it great to see wildflowers being grown along the sides of roads, and for meadows to grow in Singleton Park - would be lovely to see more of this!


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Appendix 6: Smart Nature Conference Programme

SMART NATURE: Beacons to Bay Conference Managing natural resources along the Tawe Corridor

for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy ________________________________________________

Liberty Stadium, Tuesday 30th June 2015

Key Aims:

- To inform delegates about an integrated approach to natural resource management in Wales

- To inspire delegates about natural resource management through examples of good practice

- To involve delegates in planning for natural resource management by gathering views and ideas

Provisional Schedule:

08.45-09.30 Registration and coffee

Inform: Introduction to Natural Resource Management and the Tawe Trial 09.30-09.40 Welcome and introduction to the event

09.40-10.20 Keynote speakers: a) Valuing our natural resources: Peter Davies, Wales Commissioner for Sustainable Futures b) Managing our natural resources: Andy Fraser, Head of Natural Resource Management, Welsh Government

10.20-11.10 Tawe Trial projects: a) Tawe Pilot introductory video b) Swansea Bay Marine Symposium and Mapping c) Valuing the Tawe's Urban Forest (i-tree project) d) Tawe Catchment User Study e) Eastside Connections

11.10-11.15 Introduction to workshop 1 and Smart Nature website

11.15-11.45 coffee break and opportunity to network and try out the Smart Nature website

Involve: Preparing for Natural Resource Management 11.45-12.45 Facilitated workshop 1: Developing our vision for the Tawe Trial area

12.45-1.35 lunch break and opportunity to network and try out the Smart Nature website

1.35-1.40 Introduction to afternoon

Inspire: Good Practice in Natural Resource Management 1.40-2.40 Short Project Presentations: a) Clear Streams b) Biochar Project c) The Pontbren Project d) Swansea Vale Flood Defence Scheme e) Come Outside (video)

2.40-3.10 afternoon tea and opportunity to network and try out the Smart Nature website

Involve: Planning for Natural Resource Management 3.10-4.10 Facilitated workshop 2: Making it happen

4.10-4.30 Closing remarks: next steps and event evaluation


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SMART NATURE: Cynhadledd o’r Bannau i’r Bae Rheoli adnoddau naturiol ar hyd Coridor Tawe

er budd pobl, yr amgylchedd a’r economi __________________________________________________________

Stadiwm Liberty, Dydd Mawrth 30ain Mehefin 2015

Prif Amcanion:

- Hysbysu’r mynychwyr ynghylch dull integredig o reoli adnoddau naturiol yng Nghymru.

- Ysbrydoli’r mynychwyr ynghylch rheoli adnoddau naturiol trwy enghreifftiau o arferion da

- Cynnwys y mynychwyr yn y dasg o gynllunio ar gyfer rheoli adnoddau naturiol trwy gasglu barn a syniadau

Amserlen dros dro:

08.45-9.30 Cofrestru a choffi

Hysbysu: Cyflwyniad i Reoli Adnoddau Naturiol a Threial Tawe 09.30-09.40 Croeso a chyflwyniad i’r digwyddiad

09.40-10.20 Prif siaradwyr a) Trysori ein hadnoddau naturiol: Peter Davies, Comisiynydd Cymru ar gyfer Dyfodol Cynaliadwy b) Rheoli ein hadnoddau naturiol Andy Fraser, Pennaeth Rheoli Adnoddau Naturiol, Llywodraeth Cymru

10.20-11.10 Prosiectau Treial Tawe: a) Fideo i gyflwyno Peilot Tawe b) Symposiwm Morol Bae Abertawe a Mapio c) Trysori Coedwig Drefol Tawe (y prosiect i-tree) ch) Astudiaeth o Ddefnyddwyr Dalgylch Tawe d) Cysylltiadau’r Lan Ddwyreiniol

11.10-11.15 Cyflwyniad i weithdy 1 a gwefan Smart Nature

11.15-11.45 Egwyl i gael coffi a chyfle i rwydweithio a rhoi cynnig ar wefan Smart Nature

Cynnwys: Paratoi ar gyfer Rheoli Adnoddau Naturiol 11.45-12.45 Gweithdy wedi’i hwyluso 1: Datblygu’n gweledigaeth ar gyfer ardal Treial Tawe

12.45-1.35 Egwyl i gael cinio a chyfle i rwydweithio a rhoi cynnig ar wefan Smart Nature

1.35-1.40 Cyflwyniad i’r prynhawn

Ysbrydoli: Arferion Da wrth Reoli Adnoddau Naturiol 1.40-2.40 Cyflwyniadau Byr a) Nentydd Clir b) Prosiect Bio-olosg c) Prosiect Pontbren ch) Cynllun Amddiffyn rhag Llifogydd Bro Abertawe d) Allan â Ni (fideo)

2.40-3.10 Te prynhawn a chyfle i rwydweithio a rhoi cynnig ar y wefan Smart Nature

Cynnwys: Cynllunio ar gyfer Rheoli Adnoddau Naturiol 3.10-4.10 Gweithdy wedi’i hwyluso 2: Gwneud iddo ddigwydd

4.10-4.30 Sylwadau cloi: y camau nesaf a gwerthuso’r digwyddiad


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Appendix 7: Smart Nature Conference Workshop Outputs

Group One

Issues / Opportunities

1. More innovative means of financing projects

2. More SUDS schemes

3. Culverts are reopened straightened rivers are realigned

4. Water quality issues in Swansea

5. Tawe’s blue space is enhanced, naturalised, loved

6. Peat deposits in intertidal zone and buried peat below coastal fringe of Swansea are valuable carbon store

7. Health professionals prescribe more walks than antidepressants

8. I want to see more beautiful broadleaf forests and tree cover

9. Not enough trees in the uplands

10. Improve and maintain wildlife habitats on the river corridor and develop them as an asset e.g. white rock

11. There is a strategic management plan that promotes optimising natural resources

12. Ensuring all key agencies are maximising co working and cooperative efficiently

13. Development onto Kilvey Hill is a concern

14. Involve communities in direct custodianship and ownership of natural resources make it theirs

15. Position natural assets as central to city branding

16. Stakeholders on board e.g. more access can cause problems for farming practice

17. Lack of appreciation of the area

18. More events and activities that encourage people to use the environment

19. An increased understanding of the contribution of the wider landscape to the lower reaches/city e.g. payments for ecosystems services

20. Access to river for tourism canoeing

21. Link Brecon Beacons to Bay using river

22. Conflict between different users

23. Problem lack of connectivity top to bottom i.e. Tawe Trail rather that Taff

24. People walk more to get to work and play

25. Poor access to river for recreation

26. Heritage trail, aspiration should be to be able to walk from source to sea on our riverbanks, link heritage trails

Positive Statements

1. Caring for and enhancing natural assets

2. Easy access to nature and culture

3. People visibly loving the Tawe catchment


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Positive Statement Action Plans:

Caring for and enhancing natural habitats

Barriers Actions (opportunities)

Landowners cooperating Time banking

threats from development to habitats Accredited training

Money for projects and private enterprise Partnership working

Funds diverted to economic regen over natural environment

Make people aware of social and economic benefits of NRM

Ignorance about economic value of natural environment and wider social benefits

Do more with public/institutional land/MOD

Lack of long term management ownership Utilise landfill and brownfield sites

Insufficient creative thinking about land Engage with commoners association use case studies e.g. Pontbren

Perception that mown grass is good Coity Wallia - 20 commoners demo good practice

Hard to influence commoners/landowners in uplands

Education programmes and access to information and evidence

Local government reorganisations Area statement needs to be underpinned by habitats, biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems

spin - off social cohesion

Trade offs/negotiations influencing decision makers

Evidence to allow informed decisions

Create new ways of doing things - innovative TSO Public/Private partnership

Local Govt reorganisations

Easy access to nature and culture


lack of funding and reduction in funding Trilein Report

lack of can do attitude taking enforcement when planning advice is ignored i.e. cutting down trees

Public perception' scared of the outdoors' lack of knowledge about what you can and can't do

link upper Tawe and lower Tawe with bike trail

Car dominated thinking/existing infrastructure

planning deficiencies not considering SNRM and not being enforced sufficiently

N.B. The actions/opportunities marked in purple were identified by the group as the ones of greatest priority or that could make the biggest difference.


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Group Two


1. Windblown sand, Swansea bay

2. Linking of minds, goals and aims inter communication

3. Mumbles Train bring it back

4. Pinch points - Hills to North, Sea to South therefore lack of space for transport development

5. Integrate green infrastructure

6. Floodplains (sealing of surfaces, infrastructure)

7. Housing development

8. Planning control of developments adjacent to watercourses

9. Integrate riverside development sites into environment

10. Welsh Government SA1 management track record (unable to access docks/marina)

11. Cycle path

12. Access, walk routes, access info on legal routes, river access and users rights

13. invasive species

14. Lack of links to cultural heritage

15. Tidal lagoon, alteration unknown effects

16. Declining biodiversity

17. Misconnections

18. Pollution air and water

19. Re-use of resources sometimes prevented by grant conditions example given Swansea boulevard and granite from China

20. Historic overgrazing in uplands, decline of farming and no cattle

21. Better managed uplands could lead to reduction in flood risk and pollution - investment in the uplands

22. Energy descent in rural areas

23. Wind and solar power now not by 2050 this is too late

24. Environment needs to be at the centre of education

25. Involvement and participation

26. Processing local waste locally

27. Loss of focus and funding during local government reorganisation

28. Funding decreases across the board. Decrease in funding means people will revert to managing statutory requirements only

Positive Statements

1. Everyone is willing to engage around issues and feels that they can meaningfully input

2. There are no misconnections and water quality is excellent

3. Swansea Bay achieves a Blue Flag

4. Fly-tipping is significantly reduced

5. Water and flood plain management will maximise biodiversity


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6. There is investment in the Uplands for; water quality, flood reduction, biodiversity restoration, recreation and carbon sequestration

7. Communities are engaged and enthused about their environment

8. There will be plenty of renewable energy generated

Positive Statement Action Plan:

Everyone is willing to engage around issues and feels that they can meaningfully input


Time pressures to deliver job Engagement needs to be part of the job

Delivering more with less causes stress and impacts on engagement

High level backing from managers that engagement is and important element of job otherwise something will drop

Difficult to get information to people Give everyone a stake in what is happening

No single source of information for people

Links so that people know the best person to contact - Wikianswers for whose who in the local area, central hub

Damage caused by private sector fixed by public sector need to reverse this

Mainstream the come outside project

Use what currently works, Forest Schools, Eco Schools

Concentrate on making a difference in secondary education

Sell our natural environment

Designate area as man and biosphere reserve

There is investment in the Uplands for; water quality, flood reduction, biodiversity restoration, recreation and carbon sequestration


Scale and understanding BBNP invited to join Swansea Environmental Forum

Issues remote to the people that they effect

Mainstream Clear Streams project connecting people to the water environment

Disconnection from issues in Uplands Wider use of Smart Nature website

Cycle route broke at moment no connections between Swansea and the Uplands

Introduce catchment management for improving ecosystem services

Strategic catchment management plan for invasive species across LA boundaries



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Group Three


1. Thinking big e.g. cable car

2. Reality check on some key development projects e.g. tidal lagoon, impact on Swansea bay, sand and silting. Parc Tawe redevelopment, connectivity

3. Eco Businesses food/tourism energy

4. Flood areas and mitigation

5. Recognise canal as flood defence, vigorous streams flow into the canal, flood protection

6. Aqueducts and bywashes used for generating electricity

7. Hills - using water energy

8. Exploring opportunities for hydro energy enterprises

9. Wildlife moving freely in ecologically connected environment

10. Water quality of Tawe will be improved

11. invasive species being well managed where possible e.g. knotweed

12. Key gateways to urban areas will look greener

13. Connect City with Countryside

14. Restoration of Canals, Swansea Bay inland waterway improve tourism facilities

15. People accessing green spaces, walking with opportunities to enjoy green routes in hinterland of bay

16. Access to waterways

17. Green corridors enhanced and more wildlife

18. River more accessible for a variety of recreational activities

19. Reduced litter and no fly-tipping

20. Paying for ecosystem services - viable? Policy? Carbon offsetting

21. Sustainable and appropriate tourism

22. Sustainable management of valuable habitats e.g. common land, woodland, meadow

23. Time and planning over what period of time 50+years

24. Culture and heritage integrated with environmental management and developments

25. Major organisations and institutes working together museums, Uni, colleges, NGOs

26. Communities and people that are facing multiple deprivation/social inclusion are involved now in development, considered at all stages

27. Integrated transport system to include cycle lanes not only paths

28. Parks to be in public ownership i.e. Council not given to population to run

29. Education (ESDGC) feeling at all levels (leadership, business community etc. as well as schools)

30. Innovative / interesting interpretation (use digital tech as well as traditional methods)

31. Upper region of valley investment

32. More woodland on the black mountains

33. Support mechanisms for upland agriculture

34. Improve informal recreational management in the upper Tawe valley


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35. Upper catchment; natural succession, grazing stewardship, erosion/sediment, metalliferous pollution, approaches to biodiversity/climate man, recreation zones, alt energy policy

Positive Statements

1. There will be educational opportunities for people both in and out of the catchment both formal and informal

2. Improved water quality

3. Funding will be available throughout the catchment


There will be educational opportunities for people both in and out of the catchment both formal and informal


Costs Opportunity for businesses and farmers to educate

Lack of investment Enabling opportunities for volunteers

Restrictions of the N.C Accreditations schemes and skills for volunteers

Teaching CPD to enable teachers to do it themselves, giving teachers support

Making people more aware of learning outside the classroom,

More projects like come outdoors

Opportunity for health environmental education activities kids/adults

Lobby Welsh Government to push the environmental education agenda

Improved water quality


Waste clean water More grey water systems

Lack of awareness SUD's projects

Waste rubbish in our rivers/seas

Educational programmes

Erosion issues in upper catchment

Remedial actions

10% houses misconnected Awareness programme, ongoing monitoring and mapping of misconnections

Funding will be available throughout the catchment


Private sector not involved Involve/inform/inspire the private sector to get their interest

Not being prepared/clear goals/objectives

Try different methods of engagement

Get away from red tape Contact and find allies in the private sector

Give incentives

Having an integrated development plan (already been consulted and agreed) i.e. regional priorities

Develop social enterprise or charitable trusts


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Group Four


1. Involvement of local landowners particularly farmers and NRW Forestry

2. Education to aid appreciation of our local environment by residents and local businesses

3. Linking in with existing projects and ongoing work e.g. LNRs, PROW

4. Communication, identify the area

5. Improve communications across sectors and at managerial level. Can we use new legislation as a foot in the door?

6. More on the ground consultation i.e. ways of getting it out to general public

7. A more basic way of engaging public

8. Development driven by economics and environment only a secondary issue, increase opportunity to encourage better design, links with development plans needed

9. Litter free catchment

10. People vs. biodiversity mush ensure protection of both without compromising of biodiversity which is always the loser

11. Connectivity conflict between user groups (including wildlife/biodiversity)

12. Mapping the various ecosystem services and then applying ecosystem service through product delivery

13. Great opportunity to apply ecosystem services concept and to promote connectivity

14. Understanding and mapping our biodiversity assets to make sure we know what we've got to make the most of it

15. Increasing demand (people) and a limited and decreasing resources, understand limits

16. Tourism, opening up river for leisure, safety on rivers

17. Pollution free catchment, misconnections, fines for pollution and education

18. Invasive species, increasing connections increases connections for invasive species

19. Improved communications hard as so diverse mechanisms eg papers, social media, face to face

20. Making and protecting and managing space for nature and people

21. Good food connections, farmers market, local produce

22. Litter/education capital investment needs to be followed by realistic maintenance budgets

23. Funding for initiatives, where is this going to come from

24. Better design of new builds to encourage solar power generation

25. Recycling of waste for fuel e.g. Scandinavia


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Positive Statements

1. We will understand the benefits that the natural environment provides, the threats and limits and opportunities it provides to the people in the area and this drives action/decisions

2. The public use and value the environment (nature)

3. Biodiversity is improving (restored)

4. The Tawe is pollution and litter free

5. INNS are eradicated

6. Renewable energy is maximised

7. The river/canal is a major tourist attraction

8. Community food growing opportunities


People use and value the environment


Short planning horizon 5yr at best Wellbeing of future generations act implemented

People are disengaged, disinterested, take things for granted

Give greater sense of ownership through existing groups, volunteers

Lack of recognition that things aren't right i.e. Tawe is very green anyway

Working with schools, local environment at heart, consistent messaging on social media/TV.

Perception that this will cost more than status quo e.g. maintenance costs who picks up these costs/responsibilities

Project World' Brand - more overt links between the costs and benefits

Modern communities are common interest vs. place, not knowing neighbours

Need compelling and relevant information e.g. I trees

Silo working within organisations including government

Communities need greater say in what goes on in their area greater devolved powers and funding, better advocacy in poorer/deprived communities

Lack of sharing of information between organisations

Local employer volunteer days

Not reaching relevant parts of society - business

Guerrilla marketing - innovative campaigns reinforcement

Funding short term (linked to long term planning)


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Group Five


1. Pollution, industrial remnants/residues

2. Industrial scars/previous use

3. Finance

4. Access

5. Ownership

6. Actually we are all nimbys at one level or another

7. Urban sprawl

8. Knotweed

9. No natural space/ecosystem (always managed some should be left to rewild)

10. Connecting user groups charities to combine knowledge/aims

11. Ownership of the natural environment people need to feel its theirs and therefore will look after it

12. Involving the 'man' in the street

13. Increase interaction may increase risk to ecology/wildlife, decision on how we manage some of our most precious site

14. Sustainable use, some paths get used/over used. Need to advertise the extent of path network

15. Promotion, knowledge of walks etc.

16. Walks/access maps and signage

17. Access to important areas - riverside sites e.g. Swansea Canal at Ynysmeudwy

18. Connectivity

19. Connections outside areas, don't put up new walls

20. Strategic culture change

21. Assign economic value to environment

22. Support from UK government?

23. Environment needs to move up the agenda greater attention to environment by elected members, councillors etc. greater importance given to sustainability

24. Need to advertise the extent of path network

Positive Statements

1. People will know where to go

2. Growing city strategically managed

3. People/communities understand, own and use Tawe Catchment

4. Better informed people to reduce nimbyism

5. Programme of well planned events

6. Informed regeneration of brownfield sites for the most appropriate use i.e. housing, left alone, heritage or remediated

7. Respect for natural designations

8. Some resources managed just for nature

9. Tawe corridor will be free of invasive species


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10. www.naturalneighbourhoods.com


People will always know where to go


Who makes decision to drop a barrier for access?

Get local Councillors on board to value green infrastructure and green jobs

Conflict between user groups/landowner

Funding:- covers them all

Apathy can't be bothered Area Statements - standards of living is assessed on a shopping basked should be assessed on proximity to accessible well managed green space

Lack of signs Use maps already existing

Lack of maps Local service boards, complete buy in + NHS Boards

Lack of disabled access Get the NHS on board need to provide a chunk on £ to fund access for health and wellbeing

Lack of physical infrastructure i.e. footpaths, swim pontoons, car parking

www.naturalneighbourhoods.com deals with perception

Safety, criminal, perception is it safe

Manufacturers and local shops selling outdoor equipment must give out advice on where to go and how to access

Lack of understanding of the benefits

Land managed to actively reduce criminal activity i.e trees managed to prevent fires, encourage people to use areas, local police walks, footpaths designed so cars can't access.

Decisions made regarding access at local level (consultation), National level in line with Wellbeing and Future Generations Act i.e. right to roam


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Group Six


1. Overgrazing/burning issues in headwaters needs ownership by agricultural community

2. Need environmentally sensitive management to channel public access in order to prevent conflicts between 3 sustainability sectors

3. Changes, access, security awareness

4. Conflict of interest between users

5. Need to consider archaeology

6. Off road bikers putting people of using area

7. Lack of footfall on Kilvey Hill

8. Involve community in decisions

9. Antisocial behaviour, litter

10. Clear messages/education for all about NRM, environment

11. Education confidence building

12. Physical connectivity improved access

13. Access routes, improve existing paths etc

14. Accessibility increase info sharing

15. Assumptions that everyone knows where to go/confidence

16. Plant(including) tree diseases being spread by public access e.g Phytopthora

17. Rampant invasive plant species impacting visual environment/biodiversity

18. Are any legacies of industrial/urban heritage still causing harm to people/environment?

19. Heavy metals/air pollution evaluate and deal with

20. Cycle path doesn't have the recreational identity of the prom or the coastal path in Llanelli

21. Welcoming gateway area for where route 4 cycle track meets 43 cycle track (Sainsbury’s)

22. Transport links need to be improved, bus routes, cycle paths, footpaths etc

23. Barriers to organisations removed, friendly, approachable and visible

24. Retention of green space for leisure etc build community involvement, facilitate

25. Varied activities mixed use areas

26. Paths, recreation formal and informal, café toilets, transport links

27. Open, accessible to all, welcoming, joined up

28. Clean, Welcoming (possible signs inviting people to use the space)

29. Green and healthy trees and plants flourishing attracting wildlife and people

30. Vibrant community using and enjoying the space

31. A place of natural beauty accessible for everyone, links between East and West

32. Accessible/welcoming green spaces for all

33. An area that people want to spend time visit or work in

34. Some areas left wild and inaccessible for nature to flourish in


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Positive Statements

1. Community involvement and ownership in the management our natural resources and green spaces


Community involvement and ownership in the management our natural resources and green spaces


People we fail to engage with at the moment

Increase engagement with young people, families with and without children, via schools

Need more confidence in the community

Removal of perceived barriers to getting children outside

Organisational change in organisations that work in the sector - to the way of working/mindset

Better understanding between the service providers and users

Better use of existing schemes and structures in schools

Better ways to take the message home - for all family not just children

Help/assistance for communities to know how to organise themselves and apply for funding/grants and how to mobilise the whole community

Get natural resources/greenspace on the agenda raise awarenesses

Better recognition of collective memories and heritage

Better inter generation links

More feeling of ownership and value in community of greenspaces

Messages often negative need to see the positive side

Better information about who NRW is and what they can do/offer

More knowledge of community resource management option

Information stations/interpretation

Value the natural resources and greenspaces

Build confidence within communities


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Group Seven


1. Green spaces and trees undervalued and need expanding

2. Green spaces exist in certain areas that are undervalued and people are not aware of e.g. Crymlyn Bog

3. How to introduce local people

4. Lack of community support/resources

5. Lack of connection at personal level to natural environment

6. Ownership of the river, lack of identification with the river

7. More trees? (The good ones!)

8. Green the city centre?

9. Invasive species

10. Financial sustainability

11. Pressures vs. Develop vs. exploit vs. protect

12. Political will

13. Conflict of interests

14. Cultural attitudes

15. Conflict of interest archaeology vs. wildlife vs. development

16. Monotony of landscape/lack of tree cover in upper catchment

17. Flood risk management I.e. flood defences/removal of bridges vs. access to natural environment conflict of interest i.e. Beaufort Bridge

18. Climate change, drought, flooding

19. Poverty and economic decline

20. Poor air quality

21. Negative external impact left over legacy of industrialisation

22. Negative internal image of Swansea particularly lower Swansea valley depravation = collective depression

23. No apparent City plan and wider trial area

24. fragmented cityscape, access across areas poor

25. Major development on Fabian Way needs to be managed

26. Lack of parking provision on new development e.g. new campuses

27. Public transport better (river/canal boats?)

28. Duke of Beaufort

29. Access to rivers river banks and river conservation

30. Man made barriers in certain areas preventing access i.e. road networks, housing developments not considering access to footpaths

31. Transport and connectivity issues i.e. City and up/down valley

32. Lack of investment in infrastructure i.e. footpaths

33. Circular path barrage-White Rock-Hafod-Morfa-barrage

34. Safety issues with the high walled Tawe from Morfa to Marina

35. More info about where people can go now

36. Access strategy and implementation


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37. Renewable energy potential

38. Building on existing use of natural resources i.e. air show

39. Bring back the Swansea/Mumbles tram, remove this barrier

40. Link infrastructure/access together

41. Make river water a focal point

42. Link up communities along the valley using river and green space as the connections

43. A Tawe path (as the coast path) up the valley - use river/ canal/old railway line/Sustrans route

Positive Statements

1. All communities value their local natural and cultural heritage and are aware of and involved in its sustainable management

2. There is a coordinated/integrated strategy for access and transport infrastructure and information across the catchment area


All communities value their local natural and cultural heritage and are aware of and involved in its sustainable management


Funding Support for community action groups friends of………

Lack of coordinated action, splintered

Forum

Lack of awareness of local heritage

Training for voluntary groups

Sustaining voluntary effort 'key champions

Funding needs to be longer term sustainable

Liabilities and H+S issues Coordinated action - economy people environment, geographically by all agencies

Old ways of thinking Tackling the landowners, working with or revolution

Landownership 'them vs. us'


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Group Eight


1. Deprivation

2. Money not as the only driver

3. Conflict of uses

4. Education

5. Fly-tipping

6. Improved access

7. Over development

8. Transport, traffic

9. Air Pollution/Health

10. The physical environment could be even more natural if people understood and valued it

11. How to hear the voice of local people

12. Working with local residents communities

13. Peoples community thinking - it is our problem not someone else's

14. Listen to the communities include community into the management of its area

15. Building commonwealth and value system rather than legislation and control

16. Focus on biodiversity/habitats

17. Conserving biodiversity

18. Unmanicured and full of wildlife!

19. Micromanaging - trying to design-out any unintentional/wild elements

20. Adequacy of financial resource for area based NRM

21. Role of public services board re Area Base Natural Resource Management and local well being plans

22. Can do attitude! Look at small achievable projects which will feed into large scale change

23. Creating genuine change rather than more tick box exercises or paying lip service to agendas

24. Being practical and realistic rather than policy driven

25. Need to view blue spaces for their intrinsic value rather than purely economic terms and encourage people to cherish these places

Positive Statements

1. An engaged community (variety of approaches/tools go to the people)

2. Recovered, enhance biodiversity appreciated

3. A cleaner, appreciated, safer area/river (less vandalism etc. etc….) healthy and beautiful

4. Balance of nature and economy


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An engaged community


Communities are disengaged Finding local champion

Other things a greater priority Enabling rather than 'doing for'

Cynicism, not 'cool to care' Allowing time to build relationship

Short term funding/support maintenance Find common ground

Attitudes of adults re 'youth' Find something to be against i.e. litter

Need to develop responsible attitude

Self reliance - lack of fresh ideas

Enhanced biodiversity


Pressures of planners Social planting - roadside/parks

Ignorance about local wildlife Council parks/land going wild

Gowerton woodland, 90 houses Houses with bigger gardens

Invasive species Encourage residents to plant in their gardens to encourage wildlife

Peoples actions - fly-tipping and pollution (industry and agriculture

Name and shame fly-tippers

Less pesticide use by council

Green areas mandatory in new developments

Balancing between nature and economy


Sustainable practices enforced for all businesses

Redefining the good life

Cleaner safer environment


Cars, traffic Less packaging

Public irresponsibility, cigarettes and chewing gum

Firms to be accountable for it

Packaging on everything All packaging to be biodegradable


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Group Nine


1. Struggling fishing industry

2. Beach litter/litter

3. Litter and fly-tipping

4. Environmental/nature education

5. More visual renewable energy infrastructure + learning

6. Emotional closeness function with nature

7. Look at how natural resources in the past have fed into historic development of Swansea

8. Funding how to make it happen

9. Users need to be involved in management and have a say but need support

10. Where does the money come from

11. Need to ensure historic environment issues are identified as soon as possible in planning stage to ensure potential conflicts are properly managed

12. Value for recreation benefit for health and wellbeing

13. Involvement at community partnership for recreation

14. Conflict re: land use reforestation vs. wind farms

15. Holistic approach

16. Involvement of community partnerships

17. A common and agreed vision for the Tawe Trial area that all partners/citizens can work within

18. High/misguided expectations from the public in terms of what the bodies can deliver

19. Balance between nature/wildlife and people-disturbance

20. Misconnected properties

21. Too much rain water in our sewerage system

22. Invasive species e.g. Himalayan Balsam

23. Increased tourism visitor no's - impact on natural resources

24. Connectivity linking of the e eastside of Swansea with the more affluent West

25. Urban expansion/encroachment (also an opportunity of course)

26. Not enough tree lined streets - connectivity

27. Transport/access across trial area

28. Non fossil fuel based bay transport - need more incentives cycle to work carrots

29. Reinstate tram along the bay

30. Cycle friendly infrastructure, safe routes

31. Need to tackle cycling safety on roads and new cycle paths - educate drivers

32. Not enough nice walking routes around city to get from A to B

33. City dominated by cars - barriers to using other ways

34. Community regeneration - need a sense of identity further out of the inner City areas

35. Unsympathetic development


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Positive Statements

1. Ecosystems services are valued by businesses and developers

2. People of Tawe feel a closeness to nature and want to celebrate it

3. At least 50% of people use safe non fossil fuel means of transport to work, shop and socialise

4. Conflicts on issues are avoided at early stages before they become and issue

5. There is a common vision for the Tawe Trial that all partners/citizens can work within


People understand respect and celebrate our environment

Barriers Actions

People take for granted - just there-not conscious until its lost

Develop community based environmental projects so everyone can get involved, need support for champions and facilitate cooperative actions, need long term funding small but reliable

Litter by river makes it look uncared for Litter breeds litter - regular clean ups, community involved, more fly-tipping enforcement too, remove bins that never empties

People don't come outdoors and aren't engaged with nature - poor health - improvements

Connect people in interesting ways, ask peoples views, encourage people to work together - environment good way to improve community spirit/cohesion

Poor knowledge of current activities need more research, we know more since surveys

Educational resource - can improve fitness more come outside activities

Some good activities but small numbers being worked with - big problem more funding needed - Health funding?

Link GP referral scheme to environmental projects work with healthy cities and health board

Difficult to get people out e.g. Penllegaer, far out, need to drive, away form homes some easier sites e.g. Kilvey community volunteers and Rosehill, Bryn Y Don - Dyffatty

Street festivals - fun and active go where people are

Need volunteers but need to be supported facilitators e.g. Lea community green spaces - need champions and supporters

Austerity = opportunities for involvement in parks

Above doesn't work with short term funding, volunteers need to be maintained beyond project funding

Street trees not popular because of maintenance issues

Educational resource - can improve fitness more come outside activities

Lack of funding for environmental education and engagement - need to enthuse next generation and involve young people more

All communities to have an environmental group



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Burning Issues Comments

The following were added to a general comments board made available to delegates throughout the event:

1. Engaging with the private sector is very important

2. Involve, Inspire and interest business - Swansea Bay City Region Economic Development - Natural Resources-Well being of future generations all interlinked

3. Canal and River Trust who own Swansea Canal have an excellent video called 'water adds value' - well worth watching online

4. How does Glastir etc fit in with the aims of natural resource management?

Documents

TAWE CONSULTATION PROJECT: SMART NATURE · 2015-09-06 · TAWE TRIAL COMMUNITY CONSULTATION (SMART NATURE) APPENDICES: JULY 2015 - 2 - Contents 1. Public Consultation Survey Questionnaire