Local Places for Nature Grant
Bridgend County Borough Council has been awarded £961,958.90 by Welsh Government through the Local Places for Nature (LPfN) programme, working in partnership with the Bridgend Local Nature Partnership (LNP).
This funding will be used during 2025–27 to create and improve green spaces in urban and peri-urban communities, particularly areas with limited access to nature.
Local Places for Nature is a Welsh Government programme that is managed by the WCVA, and supports LNPs across Wales to create, restore and improve spaces for nature so that nature is part of everyday life for everyone.
These improvements will:
- Bring nature closer to where people live, work and access services
- Support wildlife, such as birds and pollinators, and habitat connectivity
- Improve health, wellbeing and access to outdoor spaces
- Create safer, more attractive places for communities
Improvement works
Aber Fields (The Planka)
An underused and frequently waterlogged area of this site will be transformed into wetland and wet woodland, with native wildflowers, a viewing area with seating, and accessible paths.
The project will improve biodiversity, manage surface water and create a welcoming nature space for the local community. Please note these proposals do not affect the playing field.
Heol Canola Estate, Sarn
Delivered in partnership with Valleys to Coast, and subject to community consultation, the preliminary proposals will see this estate green space become a space for nature and people.
The project will include a community orchard and food-growing area, outdoor learning space, habitat for pollinators, sensory planting and improved access, helping to reduce antisocial behaviour and create a positive shared community asset for residents.
Collwyn Woods, Pyle
Delivered in partnership with Pyle Community Council, this project will tackle riverbank erosion and safety concerns while creating a space to spend time in nature.
Interpretation and artwork will celebrate the history of the river and local wildlife, improving the area for both people and nature.
Community Food Growing
Delivered in partnership with Tanio and the Bridgend Sustainable Food Partnership, new small-scale food-growing spaces will be created across the borough.
These will include raised beds and basic infrastructure, supporting healthy lifestyles, skills development and local ownership.
Orchard Project
Delivered with The Orchard Project, Kenfig Corporation Trust, Bryngarw Park, and local volunteers, heritage fruit orchards will be restored and created at several sites, including eDNA analysis of unknown fruit varieties at existing orchards.
These orchards will support biodiversity and pollinators while offering opportunities for community harvesting, training and volunteering.
Share your ideas and get involved!
Community involvement is central to this programme. We are inviting schools, community councils and local groups to share their ideas for nature in their local area.
We will work with communities to explore how these ideas could be developed and delivered as part of the wider Local Places for Nature programme, helping to ensure that new and improved green spaces reflect local priorities and needs.
Residents will also be invited to take part in tree and wildflower planting, orchard care and harvesting, food-growing activities, and training and volunteering opportunities.
If you have an idea for improving nature where you live, or would like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Email Address: biodiversity@bridgend.gov.uk
Previous works
A nature and leisure park featuring native trees, shrubs and wildflowers.
The scheme will also include attenuation ponds and mounds to improve the drainage of the field, improving conditions for recreation and preventing flooding to the surrounding areas, whilst creating important wetland habitat.
The site will also benefit from new path works to allow access to and around the site.
The park will benefit from native trees, shrubs and wildflowers, creating a barrier from the busy road whilst maintaining views into the play area.
The scheme also includes benches to allow visitors a quiet space to enjoy nature and the play facilities, as well as fruit trees, bird boxes and a bug hotel.
Caerau Men’s Shed was established for men who require friendship, support and a sense of belonging.
The group manage an area of land in Caerau which currently offers little recreational or ecological value.
Through this scheme, the space will be transformed into a wildlife garden and food growing area which can be accessed by the local community, schools, groups and wildlife enthusiasts.
The scheme will also feature a small pond and a bird hide.
The estate is owned and managed by Valleys to Coast Housing Association and will benefit from a dedicated community growing space, native trees along the main spine road, new woodland creation and a wildlife garden.
It is hoped that these works will enhance and create vital corridors and provide connectivity between habitats for a range of species such as pollinators, bats and small mammals, as well as improving the areas for local communities.