Bee friendly ambition continues with meadow plans

A strip of land on the Barnfields housing estate is to be transformed into a meadow area.

Newtown Town Council said it had acquired the verge along Sycamore Road, from the junction at Cambrian Way to the play park and had received a government grant to create a wildlife area along it.

A statement said: "Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council are pleased to report that they have been successful in obtaining just over £1500 from the Local Places for Nature Funding. 

"The Local Places for Nature is a Welsh Government grant scheme which enables urban areas within communities, to restore and enhance their access local nature.

"Following a discussion in the Services committee in September it was resolved that – The committee authorises the Operation Manager to pursue the Powys CC grant to plant wildflowers along Sycamore Drive whilst keeping at least a one metre strip of close-cut grass along the roadside."

It added: "The stretch of roadside verge on the north side of Sycamore Drive from the junction with Cambrian Way up to the playpark, has recently been legally transferred to Newtown & Lllanllwchaiarn Town Council.

"Following the successful grant application, the town council now plan to dig over and prepare the ground, whilst sourcing a Special Meadow Mix seeds to sow. Information boards will be installed to inform the public of what and why we have chosen to plant and to also to promote our ongoing ambition to make Newtown a Bee Friendly Town." 

Commenting on the successful funding, Cllr John Bryne, Chair of Services Committee, said: “As a committee we are delighted by the outcome of the application from the Local Places for Nature grant. We are looking forward to seeing how this will improve our town."