WREXHAM Council is looking to put together a new ‘Open Spaces strategy’ to manage and maintain countryside and green areas across the county borough.
A report is to be presented to the authority’s homes and environment scrutiny committee next week, by lead member for the environment, Rossett Cllr Hugh Jones (Con).
Open spaces cover a wide range of areas across the county borough ranging from Acton Park and Ty Mawr Country Park, to The Dunks in Caia Park and the Llwyneinion Woods.
The council is also looking for feedback and is planning to go out to stakeholder and public consultation on the draft strategy in March and April.
This will include an online and paper survey based consultation, as well as targeted discussions and an engagement event also earmarked for March.
The report to be discussed by the committee states: “The council is the custodian of a wide range of ‘open space’, which is used for a variety of purposes.
“Whilst over recent years Wrexham Council has begun the gradual move to a more biodiversity-led approach to our land management, it is vital that we accelerate this shift in focus and ensure that our open spaces are managed and used appropriately – depending on their intended use.
“Through a range of project work and grant-funded initiatives, the council continues to work with communities to involve them in the improvement and effective use of open spaces, increasing their skills and understanding; whilst creating a deeper connection to the natural environment where they live.
“Wrexham Council acknowledges the key role that open spaces, nature and the local environment play in the lives of individuals, families and communities.
“Therefore we will develop a new ‘Open Space Strategy’ which sets out our vision and objectives for how we manage, use and protect these spaces now, and for the future.”
It adds: “The ambition is to create a high-level, overarching plan which sets out the council’s commitment to open spaces, and some guiding objectives which inform all decisions made about our open spaces, as well as how we use and manage them.
“We also have a number of policies, strategies and plans which are relevant to the open spaces and countryside around the county borough.
“These include: Tree and Woodland Strategy; Rights of Way Improvement Plan; allotment strategy; country park management plans etc.
“These should be subordinate to the over-arching strategy and demonstrate how they are in-line with the commitments set out in the ‘Open Space Strategy’.”
Councillors will also be able to draw upon an evaluation of its Green Infrastructure project compiled by researchers from Wrexham Glyndwr University, included with the report.
Members of the homes and environment scrutiny committee will give their feedback on the proposals when they meet on Wednesday (February 15).
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