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Funding awarded to connect Flintshire’s coast and countryside

Published: 02/11/2023

A new vision for Flintshire’s countryside and coastal spaces will be created thanks to more than £335,000 funding from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.

The Fund is a central pillar of the government’s Levelling Up agenda and aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities, supporting local business, people and skills.

Co-ordinated by Flintshire County Council, the funding will enable Flintshire to move closer towards the vision of a Flintshire Coast Park. The project recognises the importance of creating safe, natural environments to support people’s wellbeing, and protect the environment and biodiversity of the rich coastal and countryside landscape which Flintshire has to offer.

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economy, Councillor David Healey said: “This is an exciting and ambitious project which aims to deliver the foundations for an accessible Flintshire Coast Park celebrating the natural environment and heritage of the Welsh coast.

“The project will continue to build on the achievement of regeneration, conservation and access projects over many years.  It includes the Wales Coast Path and will improve connectivity to the natural environment for local communities and visitors to Flintshire.

“Protecting natural habitats has never been more crucial. We have 25 miles of coastline and we want to ensure we make the most of them for years to come.  This funding will enable us to create a strategic plan to manage, maintain and enhance our coast, and improve connections to the countryside, for everyone to enjoy - today, and for the wellbeing of future generations.”

There will be support for existing cultural and natural heritage assets. The project will include improvements to enable people better access their local natural environment and help reduce isolation, particularly for older people and people with disabilities. Funding will help support community involvement and engage with communities to seek their input into how best to undertake the next steps toward prioritising improvements.

A key element of the project is collaboration with partners and the community, by working together with voluntary organisations, Natural Resources Wales and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the project will develop with involvement from all. It will see new trees planted, new paths created, heritage assets improved and volunteering opportunities created to help people build skills, confidence and reduce social isolation.

More information

Find out more about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

FCC’s Countryside and Coast Service: https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/LeisureAndTourism/Countryside-and-Coast/Home.aspx