New wildlife habitat to be created at Porthkerry Country Park

A new habitat for rare plants and wildlife is to be established on the site of the disused pitch and putt golf course at Porthkerry Country Park.

• Thursday, 18 April 2019

  Vale of Glamorgan

The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s re-wilding project is due to begin shortly and aims with the help of volunteers to improve the biodiversity of the site and increase the number of species such as pollinators, invertebrates, reptiles, birds and mammals. 

“Reintroducing species to an area where they were once abundant is a great way of protecting biodiversity for future generations. The plans to carefully re-wild this area of the park will add to the visitor experience and we will help the many school groups that visit the park learn about the importance of biodiversity and sensitive land management."- Cllr Jonathan Bird, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning

Re-wilding is an ecological concept whereby careful management of a site enables natural ecosystems to regain their former diversity and abundance.  The Council’s countryside services team will work with local volunteers, wildlife groups and Natural Resources Wales to manage the new area and ensure the new habitat flourishes.

“These exciting proposals will help protect and enhance the amazing wildlife and habitats found at Porthkerry. As a group we are looking forward to working alongside the Council and their volunteers on this exciting journey." - Alison Palmer of Porthkerry Wildlife Group

The former golf course had suffered from significant flooding in recent years, due in part to changes at the pebble beach and coastal erosion.

Despite being reduced in size from 18 holes to 12 the course was often unplayable and has had to be reduced and it proved impossible to design a course that did not become waterlogged after any significant rainfall.

Porthkerry Country Park