The Council have advised the next meeting of Bryn Euryn LNR Management Advisory Group to discuss feasibility study will be Monday 23rd November 2009
Hopefully the feasibility report will be made available for the public to review and comment on before this vital decision is made - we will let you know!
Friday 25 September 2009
Friday 18 September 2009
Bryn Euryn Local Nature Reserve
At the recent Bryn Euryn User Assoication there was outrage at the councils claims as to when, if ever, the Bryn was last grazed. Supporters present told the warden that there had been no grazing for 60 to 80 years - the council admitted they had no evidence to proven when it was last grazed so why do they keep on saying the same old thing?
Lets hope this money is spent on paths as stated rather than the grazing proposals.
From the council's 'Buttetin' delivered to all houses and on their website http://www.conwy.gov.uk/doc.asp?cat=143&doc=24879&Language=1
Bryn Euryn Local Nature Reserve in Rhos on Sea, is managed by the Council’s Countryside and Rights of Way Service.
Full of history and archaeological significance and enjoyed by many local people, Bryn Euryn is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest for the wild flowers that grow on its limestone grasslands. As part of the Tidy Towns Initiative, Conwy Council has allocated £5,000 to improve some of the footpaths on the site including the summit trail, the contour trail around the Bryn and paths coming from Dinerth Road onto the hill. Improvements to steps, surfacing and waymarking are also planned and a new interpretation panel in the car park with more information on the various trails. The designated grassland on Bryn Euryn is currently threatened by the encroachment of trees and scrub. When mechanical mowing and raking started in 1996 the site had scrubbed-over significantly because there had been no grazing since at least the 1950s. Mowing and raking has improved the grassland for flowers such as the cowslips and orchids, which many walkers on the Bryn are now able to enjoy.
The Council is now looking into the feasibility of reintroducing grazing livestock as a more natural and sustainable way of maintaining the grassland. A number of issues are being considered,such as cost, animal welfare, fencing/gates and public opinion.
If you have any questions about these projects please contact the Warden, Alun Jones, by email alun.rhys.jones@conwy.gov.uk or telephone (01492) 575200
Lets hope this money is spent on paths as stated rather than the grazing proposals.
From the council's 'Buttetin' delivered to all houses and on their website http://www.conwy.gov.uk/doc.asp?cat=143&doc=24879&Language=1
Bryn Euryn Local Nature Reserve in Rhos on Sea, is managed by the Council’s Countryside and Rights of Way Service.
Full of history and archaeological significance and enjoyed by many local people, Bryn Euryn is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest for the wild flowers that grow on its limestone grasslands. As part of the Tidy Towns Initiative, Conwy Council has allocated £5,000 to improve some of the footpaths on the site including the summit trail, the contour trail around the Bryn and paths coming from Dinerth Road onto the hill. Improvements to steps, surfacing and waymarking are also planned and a new interpretation panel in the car park with more information on the various trails. The designated grassland on Bryn Euryn is currently threatened by the encroachment of trees and scrub. When mechanical mowing and raking started in 1996 the site had scrubbed-over significantly because there had been no grazing since at least the 1950s. Mowing and raking has improved the grassland for flowers such as the cowslips and orchids, which many walkers on the Bryn are now able to enjoy.
The Council is now looking into the feasibility of reintroducing grazing livestock as a more natural and sustainable way of maintaining the grassland. A number of issues are being considered,such as cost, animal welfare, fencing/gates and public opinion.
If you have any questions about these projects please contact the Warden, Alun Jones, by email alun.rhys.jones@conwy.gov.uk or telephone (01492) 575200
Wednesday 9 September 2009
AN MP has blasted “quangocrats”
From this weeks North Wales Pioneer
http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/78407/mp-says-scrap-bryn-euryn-fencing-plans.aspx
MP says scrap Bryn Euryn fencing plans
Published date: 09 September 2009 Published by: Anna Glover
MP has blasted “quangocrats” who plan to fence off a popular nature reserve.
Campaigning walkers have battled to stop plans to introduce livestock to Bryn Euryn, Rhos-on-Sea. In June the Pioneer reported how the management committee of the historic beauty spot, discussed protecting a rare form of grass by creating two paddocks with sheep, ponies or donkeys.
This week 200 protestors gathered at Colwyn Bay Cricket Club during a meeting of the Bryn Euryn Users’ Association. Councillors, politicians and council officials also attended.
Speaking at the meeting, David Jones, MP for Clwyd West, said: “Bryn Euryn is tremendously popular with local people, who have a huge amount of enjoyment from using it as a free, safe and pleasant place to take exercise and walk their dogs. Almost inevitably, when people are enjoying something, there will be a quangocrat telling them that they shouldn’t be doing it, which appears to be the case here.
“The strength of feeling shown at this meeting should be enough to convince the Bryn Euryn committee that, whilst local people fully support the proper management of the reserve, they are strongly opposed to any moves that would result in any part of it being fenced off, or livestock put on it.”
Some areas of Bryn Euryn attained Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status, due to the rare limestone grass. Wardens at the site claim the grass was originally maintained by livestock, which would be more environmentally friendly in the long run.
Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West, said: “There are precious few open spaces as it is in our locality, and many are under threat from proposals in the Conwy Local Development Plan. Bryn Euryn is a jewel in the crown of Rhos-on-Sea which we cannot afford to lose access to. These plans should be scrapped.”
http://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/78407/mp-says-scrap-bryn-euryn-fencing-plans.aspx
MP says scrap Bryn Euryn fencing plans
Published date: 09 September 2009 Published by: Anna Glover
MP has blasted “quangocrats” who plan to fence off a popular nature reserve.
Campaigning walkers have battled to stop plans to introduce livestock to Bryn Euryn, Rhos-on-Sea. In June the Pioneer reported how the management committee of the historic beauty spot, discussed protecting a rare form of grass by creating two paddocks with sheep, ponies or donkeys.
This week 200 protestors gathered at Colwyn Bay Cricket Club during a meeting of the Bryn Euryn Users’ Association. Councillors, politicians and council officials also attended.
Speaking at the meeting, David Jones, MP for Clwyd West, said: “Bryn Euryn is tremendously popular with local people, who have a huge amount of enjoyment from using it as a free, safe and pleasant place to take exercise and walk their dogs. Almost inevitably, when people are enjoying something, there will be a quangocrat telling them that they shouldn’t be doing it, which appears to be the case here.
“The strength of feeling shown at this meeting should be enough to convince the Bryn Euryn committee that, whilst local people fully support the proper management of the reserve, they are strongly opposed to any moves that would result in any part of it being fenced off, or livestock put on it.”
Some areas of Bryn Euryn attained Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status, due to the rare limestone grass. Wardens at the site claim the grass was originally maintained by livestock, which would be more environmentally friendly in the long run.
Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West, said: “There are precious few open spaces as it is in our locality, and many are under threat from proposals in the Conwy Local Development Plan. Bryn Euryn is a jewel in the crown of Rhos-on-Sea which we cannot afford to lose access to. These plans should be scrapped.”
Bryn Euryn User Association meeting
Many thanks to all those who took the time to attend the first meeting of the new Bryn Euryn User Association, minutes will be posted shortly.
As well as the local MP and AM we would like to thank the local councillors who made the effort to attend and give us their thoughts on the proposals. The council Countryside staff who attended and made the effort to put forward their plans should be thanked for attending and doing their best to explain proposals and answer the numerous questions.
As well as the local MP and AM we would like to thank the local councillors who made the effort to attend and give us their thoughts on the proposals. The council Countryside staff who attended and made the effort to put forward their plans should be thanked for attending and doing their best to explain proposals and answer the numerous questions.
Council must scrap Nature Reserve grazing plans
Many thanks to Clwyd West AM Darren Millar for attending the first meeting of the Bryn Euryn User Association, his contributions were well received and captured the mood of the majority of those present
From his blogsite http://www.darrenmillaram.com/index.php?sectionid=3&pagenumber=436
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has called for controversial plans to introduce grazing on a popular nature reserve in his constituency to be scrapped.
Residents in Rhos-on-Sea have been incensed by local authority proposals which could see large parts of the Bryn Euryn Nature Reserve fenced off and put to grazing.
Speaking at a packed public meeting in Rhos last night, Darren Millar said, ‘There is a huge democratic deficit here.
‘These grazing proposals are clearly unacceptable to the vast majority of local people and yet the council is determined to explore these proposals further.
‘As well as being a nature reserve, Bryn Euryn is an important community facility which is enjoyed by large numbers of residents and visitors to the area. It should be accessible to all, including responsible dog owners who use it to exercise their pets.
‘The council must listen to the views of local people and manage the reserve in a way which respects the current usage and allows the people to continue to enjoy it for many years to come.
‘There are precious few open spaces as it is in our locality, and many are under threat from proposals in the Conwy Local Development Plan. Bryn Euryn is a jewel in the crown of Rhos-on-Sea which we cannot afford to lose access to. These plans should be scrapped.’
From his blogsite http://www.darrenmillaram.com/index.php?sectionid=3&pagenumber=436
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has called for controversial plans to introduce grazing on a popular nature reserve in his constituency to be scrapped.
Residents in Rhos-on-Sea have been incensed by local authority proposals which could see large parts of the Bryn Euryn Nature Reserve fenced off and put to grazing.
Speaking at a packed public meeting in Rhos last night, Darren Millar said, ‘There is a huge democratic deficit here.
‘These grazing proposals are clearly unacceptable to the vast majority of local people and yet the council is determined to explore these proposals further.
‘As well as being a nature reserve, Bryn Euryn is an important community facility which is enjoyed by large numbers of residents and visitors to the area. It should be accessible to all, including responsible dog owners who use it to exercise their pets.
‘The council must listen to the views of local people and manage the reserve in a way which respects the current usage and allows the people to continue to enjoy it for many years to come.
‘There are precious few open spaces as it is in our locality, and many are under threat from proposals in the Conwy Local Development Plan. Bryn Euryn is a jewel in the crown of Rhos-on-Sea which we cannot afford to lose access to. These plans should be scrapped.’
Bryn Euryn – a positive development
From David Jones' blogsite http://davidjonesblog.com/2009/09/07/a-positive-development/
To Rhos on Sea this evening, and the inaugural meeting of the Bryn Euryn Users’ Association.
The assembly room at the cricket club was packed with local residents and also attended by local councillors and council officials, who can have been left in no doubt whatever that the proposal to fence off the Bryn and place livestock on it was deeply unwelcome.
The Association is a tremendously positive development for the future of Bryn Euryn; I am very optimistic that the management committee’s misguided proposal will soon be kicked into touch.
Many thanks to David for attending, his excellent contributions were very welcome.
To Rhos on Sea this evening, and the inaugural meeting of the Bryn Euryn Users’ Association.
The assembly room at the cricket club was packed with local residents and also attended by local councillors and council officials, who can have been left in no doubt whatever that the proposal to fence off the Bryn and place livestock on it was deeply unwelcome.
The Association is a tremendously positive development for the future of Bryn Euryn; I am very optimistic that the management committee’s misguided proposal will soon be kicked into touch.
Many thanks to David for attending, his excellent contributions were very welcome.
Information issued by Conwy Countryside and Rights of Way Service
In the interest of providing balanced information please see below the handout the Council prepared for the first meeting of the Bryn Euryn User Association.
What's being looked into at Bryn Euryn and why?
Bryn Euryn Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is also designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) due to its species rich calcareous grassland which supports a range of special flora and fauna. As such the local authority has a duty to manage this site to best maintain the grasslands whilst also managing the site for public enjoyment.
The reason for looking into the feasibility of introducing grazing to maintain the grassland is that this would reduce the invasion of 'improved' species such as ryegrass and prevent scrub encroachment. The action of grazing animals would be different from just cutting and raking off (which is the current management practice at this site), it would help encourage species diversity and the dung provides food for up to 16 different types of insect.
Types of grazing system being investigated as part of the feasibility study
Possibly five ponies/donkeys grazing in each of one or possibly two meadow areas, each for possibly two months in the spring and possibly a further four months in the late summer/early autumn.
The feasibility study will consider how this works at other sites with public access.
Cost and types of fencing for livestock plus longterm maintenance of this will need to be considered as part of the study. For example, the design of the fencing and gates could be laid out to avoid pinch points and corners where contact between people and ponies could occur. Gates could be suitable for access for the less able and pushchairs where appropriate.
Animal welfare to be considered as part of the feasibility study
A grazier would have overall responsibility for the welfare of any livestock. On some other sites volunteer lookers, trained through PONT on one or two day courses, have helped to support the grazier by checking the animals when they are walking in the area.
The feasibility of a water supply and shelter will need to be considered. A bowser may be a suitable water supply. Again this would need to be investigated.
Grazing policies are prepared for public sites with grazing. Examples from other sites are available.
Public access and dogs to be considered as part of the feasibility study
As a Local Nature Reserve it is recognised that this is an important area for the local community and general public for recreation. The feasibility study will have to be aware of this. There should ideally be no reduction in access for people or dogs. On some other sites it has been found that ponies avoid the more public areas in the day and graze them when they are quiet.
Dogs however should always be under control on sites with public access even if they are not on a lead. PONT is able to fund training for dog owners to help them to teach their dogs to behave with livestock. Skills learned through these courses can be useful when walking anywhere in the countryside.
The feasibility study will need to take into consideration the use of the site by the local community alongside the needs of the grasslands in terms of maintaining the botanical interest of the site. It will also need to consider issues such as anti social behaviour at the site, cost implications of management regimes, availability of graziers, health and safety.... alongside much more.
At present no decision has been made to introduce grazing livestock to Bryn Euryn Local Nature Reserve, the feasibility of this is being investigated.
Case studies of other sites are available on request from Hilary Kehoe.
Anglesey Grazing Animals Partnership
Ynys Mon Local Grazing Scheme Coordinator
NWWT Office,
376 High Street,
Bangor.
Gwynedd.
LL57 1YE
Phone: 07726358228
E-mail: agap@wildlifetrustswales.orq
Website: agap-ynysmon.co.uk
If you have further queries specific to Bryn Euryn LNR please contact the staff at
Conwy Countryside and Rights of Way Service:
Alun Jones alun.rhys.jones@conwy.gov.uk
Helen Jowett helen.jowett@conwy.gov.uk
Tom Gravett tom.gravett@conwy.gov.uk
What's being looked into at Bryn Euryn and why?
Bryn Euryn Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is also designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) due to its species rich calcareous grassland which supports a range of special flora and fauna. As such the local authority has a duty to manage this site to best maintain the grasslands whilst also managing the site for public enjoyment.
The reason for looking into the feasibility of introducing grazing to maintain the grassland is that this would reduce the invasion of 'improved' species such as ryegrass and prevent scrub encroachment. The action of grazing animals would be different from just cutting and raking off (which is the current management practice at this site), it would help encourage species diversity and the dung provides food for up to 16 different types of insect.
Types of grazing system being investigated as part of the feasibility study
Possibly five ponies/donkeys grazing in each of one or possibly two meadow areas, each for possibly two months in the spring and possibly a further four months in the late summer/early autumn.
The feasibility study will consider how this works at other sites with public access.
Cost and types of fencing for livestock plus longterm maintenance of this will need to be considered as part of the study. For example, the design of the fencing and gates could be laid out to avoid pinch points and corners where contact between people and ponies could occur. Gates could be suitable for access for the less able and pushchairs where appropriate.
Animal welfare to be considered as part of the feasibility study
A grazier would have overall responsibility for the welfare of any livestock. On some other sites volunteer lookers, trained through PONT on one or two day courses, have helped to support the grazier by checking the animals when they are walking in the area.
The feasibility of a water supply and shelter will need to be considered. A bowser may be a suitable water supply. Again this would need to be investigated.
Grazing policies are prepared for public sites with grazing. Examples from other sites are available.
Public access and dogs to be considered as part of the feasibility study
As a Local Nature Reserve it is recognised that this is an important area for the local community and general public for recreation. The feasibility study will have to be aware of this. There should ideally be no reduction in access for people or dogs. On some other sites it has been found that ponies avoid the more public areas in the day and graze them when they are quiet.
Dogs however should always be under control on sites with public access even if they are not on a lead. PONT is able to fund training for dog owners to help them to teach their dogs to behave with livestock. Skills learned through these courses can be useful when walking anywhere in the countryside.
The feasibility study will need to take into consideration the use of the site by the local community alongside the needs of the grasslands in terms of maintaining the botanical interest of the site. It will also need to consider issues such as anti social behaviour at the site, cost implications of management regimes, availability of graziers, health and safety.... alongside much more.
At present no decision has been made to introduce grazing livestock to Bryn Euryn Local Nature Reserve, the feasibility of this is being investigated.
Case studies of other sites are available on request from Hilary Kehoe.
Anglesey Grazing Animals Partnership
Ynys Mon Local Grazing Scheme Coordinator
NWWT Office,
376 High Street,
Bangor.
Gwynedd.
LL57 1YE
Phone: 07726358228
E-mail: agap@wildlifetrustswales.orq
Website: agap-ynysmon.co.uk
If you have further queries specific to Bryn Euryn LNR please contact the staff at
Conwy Countryside and Rights of Way Service:
Alun Jones alun.rhys.jones@conwy.gov.uk
Helen Jowett helen.jowett@conwy.gov.uk
Tom Gravett tom.gravett@conwy.gov.uk
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