The project was centred around the purchase of 27 acres of wetlands and broadleaf native woodlands better known as Cwmbach Wetlands. The project was a multi-partnership project between Down to Zero ltd as the lead, Cwmbach Community wetlands Ltd as the leaseholder/manager of the wetlands and its funders Pen-y-Cymoedd community Fund CIC, Cynon Taf Community Housing Group and Sustainable Steps Wales.
What went well – Key success.
- The role of partnership and multi-stakeholder approaches.
- Working with Cardiff Metropolitan University through the Welsh Government Funded SMART partnership a full carbon audit of the Wetlands was undertaken. This work also increased the skills of local people and organisations within the green agenda in the PYC area.
- Cwmbach Community Wetlands ltd were at the centre of the whole project, regularly engaging and consulting with the local community. Engaging with hundred of local people as well gaining political support through the local MS and MP.
- Cynon Taf Community Housing Group we were able to take a managed and responsible approach ensuring that all parties would have the appropriate health and safety knowledge, understanding and infrastructure to make the project a success. Working with the Communications manager at CTCHG the project was also able to get a high amount of PR which included articles in Nation Cymru, Wales online, Business Wales Online and BBC Radio Wales.
- Pen-y-Cymoedd were able to support the process through effective and efficient decision making, taking the project straight through a EOI to a successful application. PYC also showed patience and support during the whole process.
- Passion, commitment, resilience and skills of Cwmbach Community Wetlands and those leading the project. This relates to point 7 of the key challenges section.
Key Challenges
- Significantly underestimated the timescale for the purchase of a piece of land of this size.
- Significantly underestimated the timescales for assurances on the health and safety requirements, risks and liabilities associated to the Wetlands.
- Underestimated the costs associated to research, solicitors, risk and insurance costs.
Next steps for supporting the development of Cwmbach Community Wetlands Ltd.
- Affording space and time to the group to adjust to its new responsibilities, this is important given that the group are now landholders under a full management lease.
- Supporting the group where necessary without undermining their ability and skills to manage the wetlands.
- Ensure that they follow their riparian duties as identified within the Risk briefing and Flood management plan.
- Work with the group to identify funding for the development of the wetlands, this could include a partnership approach that will need to be co-designed through their activities.
From Cwmbach Community Wetlands:
“Working as a partnership with other stakeholders and being prepared to fund a project that has nothing apart from a large piece of land but will have a long-lasting impact that will reach far into future generations. One of the key challenges was not knowing the process of going through such a large purchase such as this. Writing funding applications was also difficult as well as understanding the criteria, so working in a partnership approach really helped that. Jayne Palmer – Cwmbach Community Wetlands. Secretary.
The group plan to run a celebration event in the new year to celebrate the work of the community and engage and consult with local people on the next steps and believe that the next 1-5 years will include increasing access and safety features of the paths as well as adding viewing platforms and benches for safe access and use of the Wetlands.
The long-term lease now affords the group the opportunity to apply for larger funds to support socio-environmental development.