Plans to transform Trehafren Hill into a more accessible and community area will be put on show by Open Newtown next week.
Open Newtown, the land trust that maintains 130 acres of open space in Newtown as part of a 99 year lease from Powys County Council and supported by Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council (N<C), are looking to share their proposed plans with the local residents of Trehafren and the larger community of Newtown on Wednesday, 1 May at Trehafren Community Hall between 5pm and 7pm.
With £1.1 million support funding from the Big Lottery Funds Community Asset Transfer programme Open Newtown are set out to invest in creating social and environmental enterprises, based upon natural resources, which will help pay for the long term maintenance of the green spaces and will directly improve local area amenities for all.
"The proposed plans for Trehafren hill include a brand new Mountain Bike Trail, improved walking trails, with dog friendly areas, a new BMX pump track, access to affordable canoe and cycle hire, potential space for a new climbing wall and soft play area, alongside a cafe franchise opportunity," said James Lander of Open Newtown.
"A secure compound may store grounds maintenance equipment, with town council seeking a long term tenancy for their maintenance team. Currently on the hill there is a water reservoir and a community orchard. These will continue to remain there."
He added: "Full planning permission, occupying land adjacent to Newtown Football Club, was gained in January 2019 to build a BREEAM rated enterprise unit (environmental, social and economic sustainability, performance recognition) activity Centre and accompanying 50 space accessible car park, which will also help unlock Newtown Football Club’s conference facilities, which is currently severely restricted through lack of parking.
"There were no objections sent to Powys County Council and ecological surveys underway with an independent surveyor, Marches Ecology, to ensure that wildlife and biodiversity is not adversely affected by any development."
Open Newtown are also working closely with Montgomery Wildlife Trust, Severn Rivers Trust, Natural Resources Wales, River Severn Custodians and Walking Newtown to ensure a project that cares for the environment and caters for the local people.
