There isn't an existing group or forum to discuss these matters. If a group were set up then there would be many contesting views to consider and it would need delicate management (Ken Addison)
(Neil Lambert) we need to expand stakeholder engagement as we always get the "usual suspects" and must focus on creating an environment that people feel comfortable expressing their interests. This is something Summit to Sea is trying to address at present.
There was a consultation on the Dyfi a few years ago about climate awareness but it may have slipped away from consciousness slightly. There could be a need to raise awareness about SMPs, rising sea levels, coastal adaptation. Lots of people need to be involved in that discussion.
RSPB interest in this area brings together a number of issues around the threats of sea level rise to SSSIs/N2K sites along the Dyfi.
How do we manage for key features eg Greenland White-fronted goose (main Welsh wintering population) and lapwing (Ynys-hir is the main site supporting this feature of the SSSI to allow for sea level rise, the shoreline management plan and creating replacement habitats. This needs to take account of infrastructure (main coast railway line), protected sites and deep peat hotspots with carbon emission impacts. Limited opportunity to provide compensatory habitat for lowland wet grassland/grazing marsh in response to sea level rise/managed realignment; lowland raised bog irreplaceable? Opportunities for wet grassland limited and more likely to be a network of smaller sites on the Dysynni/Mawddach/Glaslyn-Dwyryd. Needs an integrated approach between interests and different area statement areas.
Limited mobility of the Dune systems (north of Barmouth), caravan parks on other sides of dunes. Very complex issue as local tourism is reliant on area.
Area statement doesn't bring the wider stakeholder community together. How can we get the new stakeholders involved? This was one of the issues with the Summit to Sea project.
Along with getting the breadth of interested parties engaging, it is ensuring they have a voice - large workshops see people softening views . Need to be other opportunities for stakeholders to feed back. Another issue was people didn't always voice strength of feeling/views as they didn't think it would happen - again, a process that makes clear what the process is, what will happen and now is the time to speak up rather than wait. A lot of the opposition to Summit to Sea arose post initial workshops. Whilst there were some concerns raised at the initial workshops, these did not come across as significant. Needs to be co-creation that is effective and also reaches people effectively. Alongside this, it is how you balance conflicting views as not everyone will be happy as we can't achieve everything due to space/competing interests/funds etc.
Sorry I wasn't able to join this session yesterday, lots of really good points made. I think one of the challenges is having a few key shared priorities across the partners that can help drive some of this joined up thinking and detailed planning and delivery. For example NRW might be thinking about urgent management of a defence in one location but the pressures for the Local Authority, Network rail or other key stakeholders might be elsewhere. There is so much to do, and really good collaboration takes time and effort, my gut feeling is that we need some focus locations. I know that NRW is thinking about the future of our assets in the Dyfi, and Tan y Blwch is somewhere that I've long thought would make a great adaptation location, epsecially with the town and University on the doorstep to help with monitoirng, engagement, learning etc....for no- no clear answers from me, but lets keep this conversation going!
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly session brought out some more specific points on engagement - big workshops don't work for everyone, they can be overwhelmed by key interests or dominated by single dominant voices; need to have balance of representation; bodies don't necessary reflect views of individuals eg farmers unions/ farmers; angling clubs/anglers etc; some stakeholders will engage better one to one so need to use range of engagement approaches. Also we use the word local a lot - what is "local". It means different things to different people - an area, a community, place of birth and what this means to the "boundary" of the local area.
There is a tension to be effectively managed between national priorities/legislation and local ownership. Local interests and priorities may be very different eg sea defences is a common example of national priorities / funds do not fit with local concerns but this is much broader - designated sites, funding priorities; international treaties eg CoP 15 /CoP 26 and Directives
Limited opportunity for habitat in Mid Wales coast for Salt Marsh
Limited opportunity for habitat restoration (particularly saltmarsh) in the mid region because geography and the towns (Mick Green)
Major infrastructure along the coastline in Mid
Tan y Bwlch area could provide opportunity for Salt Marsh hab creation
The area behind Tanybwlch is also an area for potential saltmarsh/inundation. This area is marked as Managed Realignment
What about creating lagoons to encourage salt marsh there, and then remove barrier, as a way to create this habitat? Ken Addison
Private land ownership at the coast is a barrier to habitat retention / restoration.
There isn't an existing group or forum to discuss these matters. If a group were set up then there would be many contesting views to consider and it would need delicate management (Ken Addison)
(Neil Lambert) we need to expand stakeholder engagement as we always get the "usual suspects" and must focus on creating an environment that people feel comfortable expressing their interests. This is something Summit to Sea is trying to address at present.
Privately owned land at the coast limits opportunities for restoration - many farms and caravan parks
There was a consultation on the Dyfi a few years ago about climate awareness but it may have slipped away from consciousness slightly. There could be a need to raise awareness about SMPs, rising sea levels, coastal adaptation. Lots of people need to be involved in that discussion.
RSPB interest in this area brings together a number of issues around the threats of sea level rise to SSSIs/N2K sites along the Dyfi.
How do we manage for key features eg Greenland White-fronted goose (main Welsh wintering population) and lapwing (Ynys-hir is the main site supporting this feature of the SSSI to allow for sea level rise, the shoreline management plan and creating replacement habitats. This needs to take account of infrastructure (main coast railway line), protected sites and deep peat hotspots with carbon emission impacts. Limited opportunity to provide compensatory habitat for lowland wet grassland/grazing marsh in response to sea level rise/managed realignment; lowland raised bog irreplaceable? Opportunities for wet grassland limited and more likely to be a network of smaller sites on the Dysynni/Mawddach/Glaslyn-Dwyryd. Needs an integrated approach between interests and different area statement areas.
Risk of looking at things in isolation rather than in combination (Neil Lambert)
Have choices between protecting different habitats e.g. blanket bogs vs coastal hab - due to sea level rise.
Sand dunes naturally move inland, but aren't allowed to. Dune slacks have become burried!
Around Morfa Dyfryn, Harlech.
Limited mobility of the Dune systems (north of Barmouth), caravan parks on other sides of dunes. Very complex issue as local tourism is reliant on area.
Military sites in the mid affecting the ability to retreat
Ynys las went from public eroding everything, then restricted the dunes and they became overgrown. Management is complex.
Area statement doesn't bring the wider stakeholder community together. How can we get the new stakeholders involved? This was one of the issues with the Summit to Sea project.
Along with getting the breadth of interested parties engaging, it is ensuring they have a voice - large workshops see people softening views . Need to be other opportunities for stakeholders to feed back. Another issue was people didn't always voice strength of feeling/views as they didn't think it would happen - again, a process that makes clear what the process is, what will happen and now is the time to speak up rather than wait. A lot of the opposition to Summit to Sea arose post initial workshops. Whilst there were some concerns raised at the initial workshops, these did not come across as significant. Needs to be co-creation that is effective and also reaches people effectively. Alongside this, it is how you balance conflicting views as not everyone will be happy as we can't achieve everything due to space/competing interests/funds etc.
It's great to hear about your experience Neil, valuable learning for us as Area Statement practitioners!
Sorry I wasn't able to join this session yesterday, lots of really good points made. I think one of the challenges is having a few key shared priorities across the partners that can help drive some of this joined up thinking and detailed planning and delivery. For example NRW might be thinking about urgent management of a defence in one location but the pressures for the Local Authority, Network rail or other key stakeholders might be elsewhere. There is so much to do, and really good collaboration takes time and effort, my gut feeling is that we need some focus locations. I know that NRW is thinking about the future of our assets in the Dyfi, and Tan y Blwch is somewhere that I've long thought would make a great adaptation location, epsecially with the town and University on the doorstep to help with monitoirng, engagement, learning etc....for no- no clear answers from me, but lets keep this conversation going!
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly session brought out some more specific points on engagement - big workshops don't work for everyone, they can be overwhelmed by key interests or dominated by single dominant voices; need to have balance of representation; bodies don't necessary reflect views of individuals eg farmers unions/ farmers; angling clubs/anglers etc; some stakeholders will engage better one to one so need to use range of engagement approaches. Also we use the word local a lot - what is "local". It means different things to different people - an area, a community, place of birth and what this means to the "boundary" of the local area.
There is a tension to be effectively managed between national priorities/legislation and local ownership. Local interests and priorities may be very different eg sea defences is a common example of national priorities / funds do not fit with local concerns but this is much broader - designated sites, funding priorities; international treaties eg CoP 15 /CoP 26 and Directives