Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council have received a £50,000 Local Places for Nature grant from the Welsh Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The funding will help create permanent wildlife refuges and encourage biodiversity to flourish in an urban, mainly residential area.

“Nature is our greatest asset, but it is under threat. The Local Places for Nature grant programme is offering grants for capital projects in Wales that will acquire, restore and enhance nature.”
Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales

The Pembrey and Burry Port Environment Project Four is developing four old and unused playgrounds in Burry Port into a sensory garden, an orchard, a community growing area and an eco-park.

These places aim to boost the mental health and wellbeing of local people and attract pollinators such as birds, bees and small mammals. They will give children a chance to experience nature and learn about the environment.

Developing rundown playgrounds

Louise Robinson, Community Development Officer at Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council, said:

“I am delighted that this project can go ahead because it is providing much-needed relief and hope for the community of Pembrey and Burry Port during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Pembrey and Burry Port ‒ like many areas ‒ had a number of rundown playgrounds that the council took on as asset transfers. By developing them through this project they will be used more productively, which will be beneficial for the community.”

“Many local people have come forward to become volunteers at the sites. They are thrilled by the project, which we are obviously managing closely due to current guidelines. Each of the primary schools are linked to one site and the children have become actively involved in the design and the ideas for each area.”

Nature is our greatest asset 

Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, said: 
“Nature is our greatest asset, but it is under threat and the Local Places for Nature grant programme offers grants for capital projects in Wales that will acquire, restore and enhance nature. 

“The development has given Burry Port’s natural heritage an opportunity to thrive. It has encouraged wildlife – such as pollinators – back into the area to benefit the local environment and habitats. Creating and maintaining a balance in this way leads to improved air quality and soil condition.”

Local Places for Nature grant increase 

We are now able to offer increased Local Places for Nature grants with grants of £10,000–£100,000 available for capital projects to acquire, restore and enhance nature in areas of deprivation.

There are also a limited number of £100,000–£250,000 grants available for urban or peri-urban nature projects, in areas where there are high levels of deprivation or limited access to nature.

Find out more and explore the Local Places for Nature application guidance.