Project development and implementation is an important part of the AONB Unit’s work. Here is a selection of projects the AONB Unit have been working on recently:
OFGEM launched a scheme (a Government body responsible for gas and electricity markets) which gave an allowance to the electricity supply companies and the National Grid to underground wires and electrical equipment in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
One of the latest schemes to be completed at Llŷn AONB was on Foel Gron, Mynytho. As well as being in the AONB Foel Gron is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and common land. The AONB Unit noticed that the wires were an eyesore on the landscape and the possibility of undergrounding them was discussed with Scottish Power (SP). Through the co-operation of the landowners the undergrounding scheme was completed by SP , improving the appearance of the area and the surrounding views. One interesting aspect of this work was that a horse was used to remove the old poles from the site in order to save traversing with machines.
Field boundaries are a prominent and important part of Llyˆn's special and unique landscape – and traces of a way of life and farming for centuries. The boundaries – which are stone walls, banks and hedges – also offer shelter to livestock and are an important habitat for all kinds of creatures.
The AONB Unit, with the support of Natural Resources Wales, has been organizing free rural skills training courses for years. These are courses that provide training on how to restore and maintain traditional boundaries. These courses are the perfect opportunity to socialize in the outdoors and learn a craft that has shaped our landscape for hundreds of years!
The Llŷn AONB Unit has been working in partnership with Anglesey AONB, Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and the Snowdonia National Park on the Nos project. The project’s aim is to maintain, protect and promote the dark night sky and work on International Dark Sky status. The National Park already has been awarded a Dark Sky Reserve designation while the 3 AONB’s are working towards a Dark Sky Community status. As part of this project we will work together to monitor the dark sky, raise awareness of light pollution and hold stargazing events. The project Nos work is co -ordinated by the project officer – Dani Robertson: Dani.Robertson@eryri.llyw.cymru
More information on the Nos project can be seen on the following link: www.discoveryinthedark.wales/project-nos
Since 2016 Gwynedd Council has received grants from the Welsh Government to support capital projects within the AONB (other AONBs have received similar support). The money has been of great benefit and has enabled us to carry out numerous improvements in the area. Here is some Information regarding some of the projects that were completed under this scheme.
This particular path was closed because the old bridge crossing the river “Hen” had rotted and was impossible to cross.
The main focus of the project was therefore to install a new bridge over the river in order to reopen the circuit and create access to the nearby forest and the open access land of GyrnGoch. Other improvements were also made to the journey by exchanging a stile for a gate and resurfacing part of the path. This is a fairly short walk but it provides an opportunity to walk through various landscapes including forest and unimproved land with various wild plants.
As part of the effort to decarbonise the services of the AONB and Gwynedd Council, a portion of the capital grant was used to buy an electric van for the Warden of the AONB and an electric car for the AONB unit. This meant getting rid of the old diesel vehicles and thereby reducing the service's carbon footprint. Charging Points in the Cob Road, Pwllheli offices are used to charge the vehicles.
2024 Llŷn AONB
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