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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.
Resolved that Carrie Townsend Jones be elected Vice Chair for the 2026-2027 Municipal Year.
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 February 2026 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Jake Cosgrove, Gower National Landscape Project Officer provided a verbal update on the Management Plan Review. He outlined the various stakeholder engagement activities that had taken place since last summer, including an online survey with nearly 500 responses, in-person workshops for farmers, tourism providers, conservation and heritage groups, targeted outreach to underrepresented groups, and an online meeting with every Community / Town Council in Gower. Findings were compiled by land use consultants to inform the draft plan. The draft management plan, incorporating all engagement findings, was being produced by land use consultants and expected next month. The next phase would involve another round of workshops and public engagement to test and prioritise proposals, with the aim of finalising the plan by December and adoption in the new year. He emphasised that the plan was intended as a partnership document for the whole of Gower, not just Swansea Council, and highlighted the importance of involving key stakeholders from the outset to ensure broad ownership and effective delivery.
Mark Blackmore, Ffermio Bro Advisor presented a detailed update on the Ffermio Bro scheme. He outlined the strict eligibility criteria for farmers, including the need for RPW field numbers and a minimum of 3 hectares or 550 standard labour hours, to ensure only active farmers’ benefit. The application process involved submitting evidence via the RPW interactive map with his approach preventing issues seen in other areas. In year one, 20 expressions of interest were received, with 16 full applications and a final spend of £66,000 out of an allocated £100,000. In year two, with increased funding and the officer working more days, 29 expressions of interest and 9 full applications had already been received, with a focus on collaborative projects. Collaboration projects included bat conservation (with Vincent Wildlife Trust), pollinator and hedgerow networks, and knowledge transfer among farmers. Technical innovations such as Fecpak systems for parasite monitoring and virtual fencing with cow collars were highlighted. A major pond collaboration involving nine farms was underway, with planning permissions required for most ponds due to engineering works. The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust was assisting with planning and costing, and projects were grouped by readiness and approach, with phased implementation planned. The phasing out of the single farm payment was outlined, together with the introduction of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, noting that Ffermio Bro collaborations were being developed to prepare for future collaborative funding layers, ensuring readiness for new grant opportunities.
Jake Cosgrove, Gower National Landscape Project Officer verbally reported that the SDF was fully committed for the current financial year, supporting projects such as youth engagement, green woodwork skills, woodland management, and sustainable timber initiatives, which all aligned with sustainable development principles and the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act. Welsh Government was in the process of reviewing SDF guidance to ensure at least 60% of funding addressed biodiversity loss and climate change. Training for the Group was planned, and next year’s allocation would be £95,000 with just over £60,000 remaining to distribute, details of which were available on the Swansea Council website. In response to a question, he confirmed that SDF funding could support projects in the Mumbles area if they directly benefited or aligned with the designated landscape.
Jake Cosgrove reminded the Group that the Gower Show would take place on Sunday, 2 August 2026. He hoped to utilise the event as part of the engagement process for the Draft Management Plan.
The group discussed filling vacant advisory group seats, one in September and one in January/February 2027 with several names being suggested by Group Members and Officers. Several members highlighted ongoing challenges in disseminating information to all Community/Town Councils and the importance of having a member who was well-connected locally to improve outreach and feedback. The group discussed the need for a fair process, suggesting that interested candidates should present their case to the group. The group agreed to gather more information and circulate it via email before the next meeting, with a formal vote to follow.
The Project Update – Countryside Team was provided for information. Members commented on the vast range of events included in the report.
Clive Scott, Walkers are Welcome raised significant concerns about overgrown public rights of way in Gower. Members reported that many footpaths were nearly impassable due to overgrowth, with repeated complaints from walkers, riders, and parents. The issue had persisted for several years, exacerbated by weather and lack of timely clearance. Officers confirmed that the clearance contract was procured annually via Sell2Wales in line with Welsh Government procurement rules and evaluated using a set scoring matrix. The current contractor had been delayed due to ill health of a subcontractor however, they had consequently appointed another subcontractor, and works were expected to commence shortly, subject to weather conditions. The contract included daily penalties for late completion to encourage timely delivery, and the scope of the contract was reviewed annually. Rising costs had led to some paths being removed in previous years, although additional budget this year had enabled more paths to be included. Further path clearance works would take place after the bird nesting season (September) to bring additional routes up to standard for inclusion in future contracts. The planned cutting windows were outlined as: • Cut 1: 18 May – 21 June • Cut 2: 13 July – 16 August • Cut 3: 7 September – 11 October Group members responded that the overgrowth was causing users to concentrate on narrow sections, leading to severe erosion and concern was expressed that ongoing promotion of Gower as a walking destination was undermined by poor path conditions. The group requested clear timelines for clearance, better communication with the public, and consideration of local contractors for future maintenance. The Rights of Way team committed to monitoring and providing updates, with further follow-up planned. The lapse of the Article 4 direction controlling pop-up camping was also raised. The Article 4 Direction (in place since 1979) previously removed permitted development rights for temporary camping/caravan sites on Gower, helping to manage visitor pressures. This Direction had now lapsed following new Welsh Government guidance, which introduced alternative control measures. Planning officers had advised that these new measures were likely sufficient at this stage however, this was a holding position pending further evidence. The situation would be monitored over the next two years, with data gathering and potential consultation to inform whether a replacement Direction was required. A senior planning officer would brief the Gower Advisory Group in September on the new guidance and local implications, and the Council would review the need for further action within two years, with the Advisory Group providing input to support an informed decision. Concerns were raised about visitors being unaware of challenges such as rip tides, difficult terrain, and lack of facilities at Three Cliffs Bay, due to insufficient information in social media and promotional materials. Ursula Jones, Gower National Landscape Project Officer confirmed that the team worked closely with the Tourism department to ensure accurate information was shared and committed to reviewing current materials to address the concerns raised.
The Countryside Team – Work Programme outline was presented “For information”.
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