Flintshire County Council has completed several green infrastructure projects in key town centres.

These projects aim to improve the towns' physical landscapes while providing biodiversity, carbon reduction, and air quality benefits.

Green infrastructure (GI) is a network of multi-functional green spaces and features, including parks, playing fields, and urban street trees, that deliver community and environmental benefits.

It can be integrated into new developments or retrofitted into existing infrastructure.

Most of the urban GI enhancement in Flintshire has been through tree planting, wildflower sites, and reduced mow areas.

The council's regeneration team, after securing funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), worked with the biodiversity team to design and deliver projects across Flintshire's town centres.

This funding allowed for a green infrastructure audit in Buckley, Connah’s Quay, Flint, Holywell, Mold, Queensferry, and Shotton.

The audits assessed existing GI in each town, identified opportunities and challenges for improvement, and developed potential interventions to improve the towns.

These documents will guide future projects when funding becomes available.

The UKSPF and a Natural Resources Wales (NRW) grant are also supporting the investigation into reducing surface water flooding in Buckley through greening opportunities.

As part of the council's regeneration programme, a property improvement funded by the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns programme included a "green gateway" project for Queensferry, with grant funding for seven tree pits.

Earlier this year, a project to install living green screens at Croes Atti Primary School in Shotton was implemented, funded by the UKSPF project and Welsh Government Local Places for Nature.

This aimed to add biodiversity value, reduce air pollution, and enhance green spaces within the school grounds and the wider Shotton area.

Councillor David Healey, Cabinet member for climate change and economy, said: "These projects to regenerate the environmental, visual and physical aspects of our towns, are a welcome approach to delivering change in our approach to public health, wellbeing, environmental issues and making our towns more vibrant."

In April, Flintshire County Council received National Bee Friendly award status from the Welsh Government for its efforts in supporting pollinators.

Key collaboration across teams within the county council is ensuring projects are delivered and maintained, with opportunities for enhancement identified and developed.

More information, opportunities for engagement, and the key benefits of future projects will be shared to support the development of key locations for residents and visitors to enjoy.