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There is no summary of this meeting yet. One is written once the council publishes the minutes. The agenda and papers are below.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.
Resolved that the Minutes of the Gower National Landscape Advisory Group meeting held on 23 June 2025, be approved and signed as a correct record. Noted: Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams explained that his comments in relation to tracking dormice by feeding them glitter should have been in respect of tracking water voles by the same method.
Mike Scott, Gower Countryside Team Leader presented a report which sought to confirm the co-option of Gower Landscape Connections Project Manager (Llyr Jones) as an Observer. Resolved that the co-option of Llyr Jones, Gower Landscape Connections Project Manager as an Observer, be confirmed.
Llyr Jones, Gower Landscape Connections Project Manager provided the Group with verbal updates on the Landscapes Connections Fund and Project. He provided the background to the Landscape Connections Fund, particularly the Heritage Lottery bid process and provided a progress report on the Landscape Connections Project, including the key aims, partnership working, the overall landscape approach and the current position of the Project Team. It was added that following a slight delay, funding was now in place and the Project commenced on 1 September 2025. The Chair thanked the officer for his progress report.
Mike Scott, Countryside Team Leader presented a report which sought to advise the Advisory Group of recent changes to its membership and on future steps to be taken. It was explained that Philip Ogleby had withdrawn from the membership of the Group and potential candidates were being sought for the membership vacancy. Connectivity issues with members of the Group were highlighted and would be monitored going forward. Options in relation to an annual field trip and annual forum were discussed. The Group commented that an annual field trip was an excellent opportunity for the Group to see the projects being supported, particularly through Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) funding. It was additionally commented that an annual forum would allow the Group to listen to and engage with the public. An update would be circulated to the Group in respect of the options discussed.
The Countryside Team Leader provided a ‘for information’ report which informed the Group of recent project work and team updates from Swansea Council’s Countryside Team. The Group commented very positively in respect of consultation on the Gower Management Plan with Community Councils and hoped that the exercise would make those councils feel more engaged. It was added that consultation was ongoing in respect of 16 new Local Nature Reserves in Swansea, three of which were within the AONB and included Port Eynon Beach, the cliffs from Caswell to Mumbles and Clyne Valley Country Park. The Group requested that earlier notification be provided in future, prior to the information being circulated to the press. A link to the Local Nature Reserves consultation would be circulated to the Group.
Partners reports and updates were provided as follows: - 1. The Gower Society The Gower Society had been busy during the summer months and continued to build partnerships with key organisations with the aim to protect and improve Gower’s natural landscape. · Cartersford land purchase and lease to The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales - The Society had finalised its purchase of 43 acres at Cartersford in Spring 2025 and agreed to lease the land to WWTSWW for a peppercorn rent over a 25-year period. They would work to restore wildlife and natural habitats on the site. It would not be open to the public for the near future, but volunteer groups would be invited for various activities. The volunteers of the Wildlife Trust, under the coordination of Paul Thornton had already secured fencing around the boundary where needed, cleared debris and Japanese knotweed. The Gower Society paid for a stone crusher which had proved very successful. Funding was secured from the Rural Anchor Fund to support the work. Over 1500 trees were planted over the winter and other grassland species also planted. GSY and The Green Team applied for and were awarded 420 free trees from the Woodland Trust to be planted at Cartersford. · Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Gower Landscapes Connections (GLC) - In partnership with the National Landscapes Association, the Society had been awarded development funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a brand new project. The initiative would run for 18 months and was designed to lay the groundwork for a large-scale nature recovery programme across Gower National Landscape. The project would be working together with landowners, commoners, conservationists, communities and many other partners. Evidence would be gathered, mapping habitats, co-developing management plans for commons woodlands salt marshes and coastal grasslands. It plannned to engage in all local communities to shape Gower’s future landscape. · Gower Show 2025 - The Society had a very successful show, with many people visiting our marquee. The Youth team celebrated its 25th anniversary and had many activities for children during the day. The Green team exhibited all they had been involved in, including willow weaving, litter picking, visits to Celtic Wildflowers, Crymlyn Burrows. For many years, we are proud to be a major sponsor of the show. Congratulations to the organisers. · Gower National Landscapes Management Plan - This was currently in its draft stages. Our Planning committee would be preparing their response directly to the National Landscapes Team. · Grants given in 2025 to date - The Society had given grants to Gower Music Festival, Oxwich Bird Ringing Project, Gower Walking Festival, Gower Unearthed, St George’s Reynoldston, fencing at Whiteford, Horton Methodist Chapel, CCS Countryside Access team, and others. The Youth committee had given grants to Pen-y-Bryn Lower School, Christchurch Primary School, St Joseph’s RC Primary School Clydach and 12 transport grants had been approved for schools going on field trips with Dawn Thomas. The Society had also funded nearly £5,000 towards the water bathing testing set up by MP Tonia Antoniazzi during the winter / spring months.
Ursula Jones, Communities & Nature Project Officer verbally updated the Group on progress of the Management Plan. It was outlined that Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had been sent the scoping reports for the habitats regulation assessment, the strategic environmental assessment and for the state of the National Landscape. Comments were expected in approximately 8 weeks. It was added that the engagement exercise had been very well received. The next stage would be the draft Management Plan and the Group would be updated on every stage of the process. The role of NRW was outlined and the consultation process explained. The Group commented upon the following: - · Having early sight of the draft Management Plan to be able to comment upon the Plan and potentially form a sub-group to comment on the proposals. It was explained that the Group would be involved very early in the consultation process. · Clyne Valley Country Park – provision of a document for the Park and ensuring it had the same level of consideration as the AONB. It was explained that a Management Plan for the Country Park was being drafted and a direction was awaited from the Council. The Local Nature Reserve status would assist with the support the Country Park and overall, a management team would benefit the Park. · Production of a management plan and action plan for Clyne Valley Country Park. It was explained that an action plan would be required at the end of 2026. It was highlighted that monitoring the action plan would be a priority for the Advisory Group.
Peter Lanfear, Gower Commoners Association raised the issue of the effect of large events upon the AONB. He outlined that the companies who organise the events, were making large profits but were putting very little back into Gower. The events were directly contributing to the erosion of the AONB, put tremendous pressure upon an already failing sewerage system and were causing major issues for the residents and visitors to Gower due to the numbers of people attending. Furthermore, the lack of planning applications being submitted in respect of the events was highlighted, which was a major concern and could have serious implications in emergencies. It was added that some events were 24-hours which also raised safety concerns for resident, visitor and those taking part. He emphasised that many of the events were not taking into account health and safety and were not respecting or working within the legislation in place to manage such events. A lengthy and frank debate followed and the Group were in agreement with the points made. The following was discussed: - · The situation was getting out of control and some form of management of the situation was required. · A balance was required, particularly to allow residents / local businesses to continue with their everyday lives / business. · The negative effect upon holiday makers. · Considering the legal powers available to be able to control matters or introducing a code of practice. · Forming a task and finish group to consider the issue further. · The number of events were losing the goodwill of the people. · Discussing the issue at the Local Access Forum with Planning and Special Events organisers. · The need for Swansea Council to address these events, to ensure that organisers are complying with legislation and establishing who has the overall responsibility for the management of the events. · The difficulty for the Council when events are held on private land. · The additional costs to Swansea Council and local communities as a result of the events. · The impact of larger events, e.g. Ironman and Love Trails upon Gower and the lack of benefit to the local Gower economy. · The same over tourism issues being experienced by other areas in the UK and learning how they deal with similar matters. · Not stopping people visiting but establishing how much the area can stand. Many issues could be addressed by the events organisers going through the correct legislative requirements, e.g. obtaining planning permission. · Ongoing discussions taking place with UK and Welsh Governments. The Chair thanked everyone for their contributions. The issues would be discussed at the Local Access Forum and reported to the Group meeting in February 2026.
The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) Panel Financial Summary report was provided ‘for information’. It was outlined that the SDF budget of £95,000 for 2025/26 had been confirmed by Welsh Government. To date, 10 projects had funding committed, with 1 project being reported to SDF Panel on 15 September 2025. It was added that one project was approved at the SDF panel in June 2025 but would not claim their grant until the 2026/27 financial year. The Committed Funds figure included the Swansea Council Management Fee of £9,500 as follows: - Total Funds available £95,000 Committed Funds £88,120.13 Uncommitted Funds £6,879.87 Applications in progress £7,000 It was explained that for 2026/27, the SDF budget had not been confirmed by Welsh Government, but indications were that the funding would remain at £95,000. The Committed Funds figure included the Swansea Council Management Fee of £9,500 as follows: - Total Funds available £95,000 Committed Funds £85,335 Uncommitted Funds £9,665.00 Applications in progress £9,950
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