Sustainable Development Fund Committee Archive

1. To receive apologies for absence

2. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

3. To confirm the minutes of the meetings of the SDF Committee held on the 5 June 2019 and 3 July 2019

4 To consider the report of the Director of Planning as Sustainable Development Fund Officer.

5. To consider the applications on the following pages:

SDF/2019/6: Coppicewood College Woodland Workshop 
The project is seeking funding to build a new workshop; a round wood timber framed building so that they can relocate Coppicewood College. The college began 12 years ago and resides in a private piece of woodland of 14 acres which was a part of the Coedmore woods estate in Cilgrerran. Their lease comes to a close in June 2021 and will not be renewed. The new location of the college is within easy reach of the current site and will preserve the woodland community that has developed around the college over the years.

Building a new workshop in the new location at Pengelli woods will guarantee that Coppicewood College can continue delivering quality woodland courses, training groups and individuals to sustainably manage woodlands and build up a rural business of their own; and to support areas of natural beauty aligned to the principles of the national park. The payment of this application would be subject to gaining planning permission and discharge of all relevant conditions.

SDF/2019/7: North Pembrokeshire Tours 
Over 320 places of interest have lain, often hidden, in North Pembrokeshire and the surrounding area. North Pembrokeshire Tours will promote and deliver 4 or 6 hour tours which will focus on the Heritage of North Pembrokeshire; much of which will often be within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

In trialling the tours with local people, it is clear that even they did not sufficiently know of or appreciate the culture, the characters, or the ancient and more recent history of the area. These will form the basis of the range of tours we will deliver.

To be able to deliver a self-sustaining and profitable tour operation we need start-up finance to pay a key staff member and to prepare new marketing materials during the build-up period, prior to the full season starting in spring 2020.

As a not-for-profit organisation, surplus profits from the tours will be used to support additional community based, tourism / environment projects.

1. To receive apologies for absence

2. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 10th April 2019

4 To consider the report of the Director of Planning as Sustainable Development Fund Officer.

5. To consider the applications on the following pages:
SDF/2019/1  The Really Wild Centre
This was considered previously, members had further queries and therefore asked the applicant to be reconsidered.  Previously it was described as:- It will create an innovative, environmentally sensitive, educational visitor experience dedicated to helping visitors and residents appreciate our Pembrokeshire landscape and coastline, and how they can contribute to its sustainability for future generations.
The visitor experience will be based on providing a high quality, distinctly Welsh educational and multi-sensory experience for all. This will complement the development of the visitor centre to further enhance the economic opportunities and social economy across all of St Davids, whilst promoting a greater awareness of our natural environment in a sustainable and practical way.

SDF/2019/3
Sustainable Printing
Developing sustainable dyes and pastes which are earth based and eco friendly, the project will run courses across Pembrokeshire as part of, and supported by a sustainable print workshop based in Narberth. The courses would have ecology and sustainability at the core, that using natural printing materials, would inspire and deliver educational print-based and digital design courses for the local community and beyond. The courses would be based primarily at a regenerated outbuilding to offer the courses, prior to outreach delivery across the county.

SDF/2019/4 St Davids Old Farmhouse Brewery
Diversification of a family beef farm.  The project would apply circular economic principles to create a Microbrewery via a cycle of production supported by the farm’s natural resources; crops and materials, including barley and honey. Capitalising on a gap in the local market, the microbrewery proposal also looks to improve biodiversity and habitat on the farm by investing in barn owl boxes, developing links to the existing footpaths and public rights of way, as well as the brewery itself supporting education, training, skills, and contributing to the listed outcomes in the WG Food Strategy Action Plan.

SDF/2019/5 Car-y-Mor Community Benefit Society Start-Up
The mission of the project is to be a social enterprise benefitting people and the coastal environment. It will put on 50 free child led outside education events each summer to help longer term awareness and impact, as the project in its first year, also looks to trial two 3D ocean farms in Ramsey Sound using different work practices and species of seaweed and shellfish. Data and evidence gathered will help contribute to any future streamlining of licenses, as the project will also assist local businesses gain further, as trial sites will provide new reefs for marine lift to flourish.

1. To appoint a Chair for the ensuing year

Nomination received:  None
2. To appoint a Deputy Chair for the ensuing year

Nomination received:  None

1. To receive apologies for absence

2. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 24th January 2018

4 To consider the report of the Director of Planning as Sustainable Development Fund Officer.

5. To consider the applications on the following pages:

DF/2019/1  The Really Wild Centre
It will create an innovative, environmentally sensitive, educational visitor experience dedicated to helping visitors and residents appreciate our Pembrokeshire landscape and coastline, and how they can contribute to its sustainability for future generations.
The visitor experience will be based on providing a high quality, distinctly Welsh educational and multi-sensory experience for all. This will complement the development of the visitor centre to further enhance the economic opportunities and social economy across all of St Davids, whilst promoting a greater awareness of our natural environment in a sustainable and practical way.

SDF/2019/2
Family Explorers
Family Explorers is a project that builds on existing success through Learning Pembrokeshire and its Springboard project in their providing meaningful learning opportunities to support the skills development, well-being and progression of children and families across schools in the county. This ‘Family Explorers’ project will focus on those in receipt of Free School Meals, and will receive at least 25 hours of learning linked to the four challenges of the John Muir Award to deliver life changing experiences utilising the fantastic resources of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

1. To receive apologies for absence

2. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 11th October 2017

4 To consider the report of the SDF Administrator

5. To consider the applications on the following pages:

SDF 0373 – South Pembrokeshire Woodland Services
South Pembrokeshire Woodland Services will be an extension of an existing forestry business that will deliver low impact woodland and hedgerow management services in addition to providing wood-fuel and, where possible, saw grade timber to meet a growing local market. The aim is to bring currently unmanaged woodlands and hedgerows back into productivity, provide income for the landowner and set up a sustainable management regime for currently unmanaged woodlands and hedgerows thus securing habitat connectivity and biodiversity benefits. The proposed landowner agreement would include a biodiversity checklist recording baseline data and identifying practices to increase the diversity. Encouraging additional tree planting in awkward field corners that are difficult to access with modern machinery and allowing trees to grow taller, may also assist in reducing water run- off from farm land potentially improving water quality and reducing flood risk. Purchase of an eight wheeled low footprint timber forwarder will enable access to unmanaged woodland areas which are currently inaccessible due to either wet ground conditions or a lack of access tracks. The low footprint forwarder can extract timber without damaging the ground or requiring the creation of costly and environmentally damaging access tracks. In addition to providing additional income to the landowners and reducing the cost of hedgerow management, the project would also safeguard three jobs, provide work for sub-contractors and support jobs further down the supply chain processing the timber into firewood or sawn timber.

SDF 0375 – Power of Pembrokeshire
The VC Gallery is a charity which uses art as a vehicle for engaging socially excluded members of the community. Their Power of Pembrokeshire project will build upon best practice determined from a pilot to create a platform of support and well-being for groups currently engaged with the VC Gallery and also, through an engagement programme, new groups. Groups will visit and learn about the local environment and culture and use their experience to influence their art. The aim would be to work with at least 100 socially excluded people in Pembrokeshire.VC Gallery staff would be trained by subject experts, which would then enable them to lead group visits to local sites chosen for their historic, cultural, biological or geological features. The visits would be followed by workshops to develop their art and each group participating would also create digital media/film or photographic outputs of their activities and an active social media feed highlighting the project and the achievements of its participants. At the end of the project there will be an exhibition show casing all the work.

SDF 0376 – Halen Dewi – Phase 2
This phase 2 project will see the development and expansion of Halen Dewi, St Davids Sea Salt, from the test trading of phase 1 to an increased more sustainable production of sea salt. Halen Dewi uses sea water from Whitesands Bay in St Davids. Uniquely in Wales, it uses only the sun and wind to extract sea salt crystals from the sea water in a customised polytunnel. This differs from conventional sea salt production when the water is heated or boiled. The phase 2 project will include moving to a new site, purchasing new equipment, the design and commissioning of new bespoke branding and packaging, the development of a website and new marketing materials and reaching out to select retailers across the UK. Halen Dewi is striving to be a sustainable business based in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, selling product in the area’s shops. By expanding, the aim is to achieve economic growth that will in turn contribute to a more resilient vibrant local community.

SDF 0377 – Carotenoid feasibility study
This project is a feasibility study into the extraction and characterisation of a compound, believed to be a carotenoid, from the muscle of the invasive slipper limpet. Mikota will collaborate with Cardiff University and Collagen Solutions plc to extract, purify and identify a compound found during a previous research project. The extracted compound will be identified and characterised and the cost of harvesting through to extraction and purification evaluated to determine any commercial potential. Carotenoids are known anti-oxidants that encourage collagen deposition and collagen synthesis, with anti-cancer, uv protective and immune system boosting properties. The characterisation of carotenoids from the slipper limpet would therefore identify additional product potential for those who wish to collect, process or remove the invasive species from Welsh waters, including those that harvest them as a by-catch. Mikota has already established a facility to stock and process slipper limpets in Pembroke Dock as part of their haemocyanin project. They are currently developing a harvesting and handling protocol for local divers and fishermen to use when they harvest slipper limpets as a by-catch but this project would provide additional employment opportunities as well as additional product development benefits. The Slipper Limpet has devastated local waterways, fish hatcheries and shellfish beds but with no commercial value proven to date they are not exploited and left unchecked. Removing slipper limpets and restocking oyster/scallop beds with native stock therefore also has the potential to benefit the local marine environment.

SDF 0378 – iSea Surfwear mobile shop and beach cleaning hub
iSea Surfwear is a lifestyle clothing brand inspired by the coast with a strong eco-friendly ethos and high production values. All garments are handmade and screen-printed in Amroth, using ethically sourced materials. The product has limited packaging and a successful recycling scheme in place so people can return their old/damaged clothing in exchange for a discount on future purchases and the returned item is repaired, recycled and resold. iSea Surfwear has purchased a vehicle and this project aims to convert the vehicle into a mobile shop combined with a hub for community organised beach cleans. The idea combines the sustainable business interest with the owner’s passion and voluntary work experience organising beach cleans as a representative of Surfers Against Sewage. A mobile shop will ensure that the surfwear business and brand can reach more customers. It will also provide the flexibility to combine running the business with family life and the voluntary work associated with raising awareness of waste and environmental education linked to beach cleans. The vehicle sewing machines will be powered by solar pv and customers will be able to see their clothes being hand made. The vehicle will also contain all the kit for a beach clean and provide a point of contact for people to learn about plastic-free coastline initiatives. Overall the project will encourage interaction, promote community, incentivise beach cleaning, demonstrate sewing skills and promote handmade over mass-produced .

1. To receive apologies for absence

2. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 28 June 2017

4. To consider the report of the SDF Administrator

5. To consider the applications on the following pages:

SDF 0372 – Native Oyster Restoration Aquaculture Trail MRes
Tethys Oysters Ltd (Thethys) will work in collaboration with Swansea University to investigate a novel approach to developing a native oyster (Ostrea edulis) growing business in Pembrokeshire, using a “Restoration Aquaculture” model.

The native oyster is listed as a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species, and identified as one of the Habitats and Species of Principle importance to Wales.  One of the reasons for the serious decline in species numbers is the parasitic disease Bonamia, which has seriously affected populations of native oysters causing mass mortalities in many historic oyster-producing areas, including the Milford Haven Waterway and Cleddau rivers.

In response to evidence that native oysters removed from their native seabed and raised into the water column may be healthier, less stressed, have reduced exposure risk to disease and hence increased survival rates, Tethys has recently developed an oyster basket design (ortec basket) specifically as a nursery and grow out habitat for native oysters. Testing in a growing commercial context is now required and this research project will provide empirical data to biologists and oyster aquaculture businesses on the growth and survival of native oysters in newly developed culture systems. It will also provide baseline data crucial for evaluating the effects of culturing native oysters on the surrounding biodiversity and potential for these oysters to populate the surrounding ecosystem (overspill). Evidence of overspill would have a restorative effect with regard to the wild population.

Tethys farm at Angle Bay will create jobs and produce high quality produce whilst also playing a key role in restoring the threatened native oyster population and associated ecosystem services.

SDF 0373 – South Pembrokeshire Woodland Services
South Pembrokeshire Woodland Services will be an extension of an existing forestry business that will deliver low impact woodland and hedgerow management services in addition to providing wood-fuel and, where possible, saw grade timber to meet a growing local market. This will also help to secure three full time jobs. The aim is to bring currently unmanaged woodlands back into productivity and to change the management of farm hedgerows from annual flail cutting to long rotation cutting. Paying for the timber will provide an income for the landowners while creating a sustainable management regime will significantly benefit habitat connectivity and biodiversity in a largely agricultural landscape. Encouraging additional tree planting in awkward field corners that are difficult to access with modern machinery will also contribute to biodiversity benefits and may also assist in reducing water run- off from farm land. To achieve these aims requires the purchase of an eight wheeled low footprint timber forwarder to enable access to currently unmanaged woodland areas which are currently inaccessible due to either wet ground conditions or a lack of access tracks. The low footprint forwarder can extract timber without damaging the ground or requiring the creation of costly and environmentally damaging access tracks.

SDF 0374 – Heritage Guardians/Arwyr Amser
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority with work with primary schools situated in the National Park, and the surrounding local community, to encourage them to ‘adopt’ a local heritage monument. This will help to improve the appearance, access, awareness, monitoring and interpretation of the site. As part of the process and after completion of the project the site may be used as an outdoor area to deliver lessons covering all aspects of the curriculum but importantly the children will also be introduced to archaeological techniques such as artefact identification, recording and excavating. Ultimately the project will introduce children to their local heritage, encourage their interaction with that heritage and inspire them to take pride in it. By improving access, carrying out any repair necessary repair work and developing a monitoring programme the project will also safeguard these monuments for the future. Interpretation through creative means such as artwork, photography, films, drama and social media will raise awareness more widely so that the local community and general public will also benefit.

1. To elect a Chair for the ensuing year.

2. To elect a Deputy Chair for the ensuing year

3. To receive apologies for absence

4. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

5. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 25th January 2017

6. To consider the report of the SDF Administrator

7. To consider the applications on the following pages:

SDF 0368 – Marine Renewable Supply Chain Project
The Marine Renewable Supply Chain Development (MRESCD) project will assess the supply chain capabilities of Pembrokeshire companies with the potential to diversify into the Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) industry. It will also provide stakeholder engagement and ‘Meet the Buyer’ opportunities for these companies with the aim of helping them to diversify into a new and lucrative market. The initial scoping and opportunity assessment will not only give a baseline understanding of the local MRE supply chain by identifying those companies already working in the sector and those with a strong potential to diversify, but will also look at and assist in providing the type of support that companies need to penetrate the sector. Engagement with local supply chain companies will ensure that they not only understand the opportunities presented but also receive support to ensure that they are in a strong position to bid for and secure contracts. Ultimately, by providing the local supply chain a ‘gateway’ to develop in the emerging marine energy sector, this project seeks to help provide long term economic, societal and environmental sustainability.

SDF 0369 – Brynberian Community Centre
The former Victorian school, which is community owned and functions as a Community Centre in the welsh speaking rural hamlet of Brynberain, requires refurbishment to provide a sustainable and fit– for-purpose social hub for the village and its surrounding area. Following community consultation and an energy assessment the following renovation work is planned:-
• Insulation of the building
• Installation of a ground source heat pump and photovoltaic panels
• New wheel-chair accessible entrance and toilet facilities
• Refurbishment of the kitchen
• Creation of a Heritage Centre
• Landscaping
Installing energy efficient technologies and insulation will not only reduce the Centre’s carbon footprint but also reduce its energy bills as well as making it more attractive to potential renters which will help to sustain the Centre financially. This is vital if the Centre is to continue to provide a much needed focus for Brynberian and its neighbouring communities. The present facilities and programme of activities will be expanded to include IT training skills (with computers and fast broadband), office and work space and the creation of a Heritage Centre. The Heritage Centre will not only disseminate knowledge helping to preserve the Welsh language and culture in the immediate locality but also encourage visits to nearby important archaeological and historical sites e.g. Pentre Ifan Cromlech and sites such as Coed Tycanol important for flora and fauna.

SDF 0370 – Pembrokeshire POD Outdoors
Pembrokeshire Frame is a social enterprise working to offer work practice, training and employment to people with any disability and/or people that are socially excluded and disadvantaged. Their aim is to create a village style outdoor setting to complement their new ‘Pembrokeshire Pod’, which will be a state of the art enterprise, community and well—being centre at their Merlins Bridge site in Haverfordwest. The outside space will be aesthetically pleasing, rich in biodiversity, include a small sensory garden (to aid relaxation), a memory garden (to aid those with dementia) and a solar car parking facility. Landscaping of the garden area will include planting native species, species that attract pollinating insects, reminiscence and sensory enhancing plants as well as including features such as bird boxes and ‘bug hotels’ to attract wildlife. There will be interesting paths/walkways to the buildings providing full accessibility for people with disabilities. Also bicycle stands and an information board close to the solar car park canopies and vehicle recharging unit will help to raise awareness of the sustainability methods adopted on the site. Beneficiaries will be able to contribute to the design and development of the outside space through participation in four half day art therapy consultation sessions. Appointment of a Volunteer Co-ordinator will ensure the effective management of a team of five garden volunteers to assist with delivery of the project and ongoing maintenance of the outdoor space, which aims to encourage people to go outside and in so doing improve their quality of life.

SDF 0371 – Coleg y Môr – Phase 2
Sea Trust, based at the Ocean Lab in Goodwick, wish to build upon the success of their SDF funded phase 1 Coleg y Môr project and expand their outdoor educational ecotourism activities helping to further their aim to become financially sustainable. To date the Coleg y Môr project has successfully been raising awareness of environmental conservation and sustainability to both visitors and school groups. Phase 2 will however build upon this success by taking their activities outside the Ocean Lab including the upgraded Sea Môr Aquarium. This will be achieved by providing new regular outdoor wildlife based activities and courses to include:-
• Organising and trialling dolphin watching days aboard the Stena Line ferry
• Training volunteer wildlife guides
• Developing small boat trips combined with surveys of cetaceans and surveys for indicators of climate change
• Collecting wildlife footage (including underwater footage) for publicity
Funding towards the Project Development Officer role is crucial for the further development of Coleg y Môr and to manage the expansion and diversification into ecotourism. This will help to deliver a more multi-faceted approach to the core conservation work that the Sea Trust is recognised for and is necessary to secure its long-term financial viability. The role involves managing the upgraded Sea Môr Aquarium, managing volunteers, managing internships, developing new scientific projects, fundraising, developing links with schools/colleges/universities and developing and trialling new courses and activities.

1. To elect a Chairman for the ensuing year.

2. To receive apologies for absence

3. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

4. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 18th May 2016

5 To consider the report of the SDF Administrator

6. To consider the applications on the following pages:

SDF 0363 – Ocean Plastics
Ocean Plastics aim to develop a sustainable business. Their business would benefit the environment by utilising and raising awareness of plastic waste and also benefit the local economy by demonstrating a model of appropriate scale manufacturing. To achieve their goal Ocean Plastics will recycle plastic waste, including that collected from beaches, and by working with others, trial and demonstrate the viability of using 3D printing and injection moulding to produce quality products for sale. These products will be made in materials which previously would not have been possible or cost effective using small scale manufacturing.

SDF 0364 – Solva Care Development Phase
Following the Solva Care pilot phase, this project is moving into its development phase. This next phase will build upon the best practice trialled and delivered to date but also integrate the voluntary services delivered with those delivering local authority or private domiciliary care, to provide a seamless integrated service. This phase will also extend the service user base and provide a more preventative service as a means of delaying the slow decline into dependency which results as individuals become less mobile and more isolated. Development of a website as an additional communication tool, vetting and recommending local tradespeople and investigating a model for future financial sustainability into the longer term are other new work areas that will be undertaken when moving the project forward.

SDF 0365 – Slipper Limpet Hemocyanin Study
This project is a research study to investigate the extraction of hemocyanin from the slipper limpet and compare it against existing hemocyanins used in pharma products. Hemocyanin is a crucial protein adjuvant for vaccines and other cancer therapies. It is known that slipper limpets contain hemocyanin but not known whether it can be extracted in commercial quantities or whether it is possible to purify it in a similar way to other extracted hemocyanins or how it compares to other products, which is what this project would determine. The project would also develop a plan for slipper limpet extraction and handling for fishermen who catch the limpet as a by-catch. The slipper limpet is an invasive non- native species found to be having a detrimental impact on biodiversity in local waterways, fish hatcheries and shellfish beds. In the future commercial product development could bring significant environmental and economic benefits to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

SDF 0366 – Sustainable Seaweed Management in the Haven Waterway
This project focusses on the management of seaweed blooms in the Milford Haven waterway as a way to address the significant environmental issue of high nutrient levels affecting the water quality. The proposed pilot will collect seaweed from the waterway and use it as a feedstock for a small anaerobic digestion facility to produce biogas and fertiliser for local use. Project work will include an options appraisal for use of seaweed as feedstock for anaerobic digestion and subsequent use for biogas and financial modelling of the proposed process. Also a feasibility study to explore how the management and growth of seaweed could play a role in Payment for Ecosystems Services (PES) schemes such as “Ecobank”, which is a specific scheme being piloted in Pembrokeshire by the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales. The project has the potential to act as a catalyst, leading to both environmental and economic benefits for the region, helping to reduce nutrient levels in the waterway, and to improve the recreational enjoyment of the waterway as well as providing opportunities for employment for the local community.

SDF 0367 – Well-being
As part of a wider all Wales partnership project led by Keep Wales Tidy (KWT), the Well-being project will increase the awareness and understanding of Welsh culture and heritage, and improve access to Wellsprings within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The partnership believes that the network of Sacred Springs, Holy Wells and Medicinal Spas in Wales, collectively known as wellsprings, represents a vitally important heritage asset that is worthy of greater interest, recording and protection. This project development phase will investigate the wells, undertake site surveys and research and carry out community consultations to improve the records and recording of wellsprings specifically around the St Davids and Strumble Head area to ensure that they are not lost. Local communities will be engaged to conserve and promote their local wells and in the longer term businesses will also be encouraged to promote the tourism benefits of the wellsprings and their links to other heritage sites. In addition the project will investigate the biodiversity benefits of the wellspring sites and the potential to promote the importance of managing water resources.

1. To receive apologies for absence

2. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 20 January 2016

4 To consider the report of the SDF Administrator

5. To consider the applications on the following pages:

SDF 0355 – Strumble Tidal Flow
The Strumble Tidal Flow Project aims to realise the first community owned/led tidal flow project in Wales. This project would support TBG’s aims to mitigate the community’s impact on climate change and provide a sustainable energy source and security of supply, whilst also bringing local financial benefits for both local investors and local community initiatives. Research has identified areas of the seabed off Strumble Head offering a substantial energy resource where a single device or a small array of tidal turbines could potentially be installed. TBG have already engaged with key stakeholder organisations to raise awareness of the project and to initiate potential partnerships but to drive the project forward to the next stage requires input from specialist consultants, with a high level of expertise in both marine energy and community development. Specialist expertise is require to: further partnership development, undertake community consultation, engage with marine device developers to match the resource to a suitable generating device or array of devices, produce a business plan to ascertain economic viability, secure funding for subsequent phases of the project and carry out research associated with seabed licensing, planning permission requirements and assessing environmental impacts or sensitivities in preparation for an Environmental Impact Assessment that will be required at a later stage. Due to its location and coastline marine energy sources are recognised as very important to Pembrokeshire. Development of a community tidal flow device would be an exemplar of best practice and provide a working demonstration of how tidal technology can deliver not only environmental benefit but wider community benefit too.

SDF 0360 – Naturally Connected/Cysylltiadau Naturiol
This Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) project will pilot a new engagement initiative specifically aimed at tourism businesses who own land within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (PCNP).  A consultant ecologist will deliver specialist information on ‘wildlife friendly’ land management practices and bespoke information on wildlife value and wildlife experiences within the immediate locality of each of 7 participating businesses. The aim of the initiative is to encourage tourism business to adopt land management practices that provide suitable habitats for wildlife and also to promote local ‘wildlife aware’ visitor activities and experiences that will bring benefits to both the environment and also the business.Each participating business will receive an ecological survey of their land along with an ecological report and recommendations for enhancement of their land and buildings for wildlife. Where possible PCNPA assistance will be offered to help implement the recommendations. An information pack will also contain detail on local designated sites and areas of interest within walking/cycling/short drive distance of the business. Where tourism businesses already own and manage land of high quality for wildlife then the project may focus on assisting them to interpret this for their visitors. By linking the management of land for biodiversity directly with the tourism business it is hoped that the management of the land and wildlife gains will be sustained over the longer term.

SDF 0361 – Coastal Curriculum – Marine Energy
This project will build upon a SDF funded pilot project in which Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum provided young stakeholders in Milford Haven Comprehensive School, the chance to benefit from a newly developed education programme linked to the emerging marine energy industry. Students were made aware of innovative developments and potential opportunities associated with local marine renewable energy generation. The aim is to ensure that future generations are better informed and therefore more able to take full advantage of potential career opportunities. The project achieved this by linking key information around marine energy development and careers in marine energy to the Geography National Curriculum (currently at KS3). The benefits of this approach, i.e. delivering the curriculum linked education programme in geography lessons were evident and following overwhelmingly positive feedback PCF wish to roll out the education resource created in the pilot to all secondary schools in Pembrokeshire. They will teach two lessons to each of the nine secondary schools which, with an average class size of 30 pupils, means that approximately 540 student interactions will take place. Through early engagement PCF hope to insure that future generations are made aware of important opportunities for career development.

SDF 0362 – Coleg Y Mor
Sea Trust ( a Community Interest Company (CIC)) want to employ a part time Project Development Officer to carry out a one year pilot project to develop the concept of a Coleg y Mor/Marine Academy in the uniquely situated Ocean Lab building in Goodwick. Coleg y Mor would be a Welsh centre of excellence, delivering education, scientific research, environmental monitoring and also a visitor attraction. This would provide the opportunity for the Ocean Lab building to be used as originally intended for studying and monitoring the locally diverse mosaic of interconnected habitats and their wildlife. It will also provide a facility for academics to mix and work with volunteers. Work undertaken would identify and aim to mitigate issues challenging our marine environment including topics such as habitat loss, biodiversity declines, climate change, pollution, invasive species and over exploitation of resources. To deliver the pilot would necessitate re-opening, extending and improving the aquarium to create better interactive displays that would drastically elevate its educational impact. By remodelling and improving the exhibit it will substantially increase the future sustainability of a Coleg y Mor. As well as running the Ocean lab, including volunteer management and overseeing the upgrade of the marine exhibition, the Development Officer would also create and deliver innovative new courses and a distance learning programme whilst contacting and working with educational institutions, NGO’s and partners to determine the demand and type of facility and activities that are required. The Coleg y Mor pilot project will explore the possibilities of further developing and placing on a firmer more sustainable footing the extremely important conservation and education work that Sea Trust has been undertaking to date to secure the delivery of much wider environmental, social and economic benefits into the future.

1. To elect a Chairman for the ensuing year.

2. To elect a Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

3. To receive apologies for absence

4. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

5. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 28th January 2015

6 To consider the report of the SDF Administrator

7. To consider the following applications:

SDF 0354 – Pembrokeshire Sustainable Shellfish Pilot Initiative
The Pembrokeshire Sustainable Shellfish Pilot Initiative aims to raise awareness and understanding, amongst the fishing industry and coastal communities, of the environmental and economic issues associated with ghost fishing of static gear. These are the problems caused when lost or derelict fishing gear continues to catch fish. Fishermen will be encouraged to introduce one or more voluntary initiatives into their fishing practice, which can help to reduce their impact on the environment and demonstrate a proactive solution to some of the recognised issues. These include a reduction in fish stocks, impacts on habitats and marine litter. By introducing a series of measures such as gear tagging, biodegradable hooks, escape hatches and v-notching lobsters, as well as educating fishermen, the project aims to demonstrate that it is possible to improve the sustainability of static fishing gear off the Pembrokeshire Coast. Consequently this will reduce the impact that lost fishing gear is having on the marine environment and minimise the likelihood of catching juvenile species. The environmental improvements secured will benefit the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC), future generations making use of the site’s living resources and also sustain economic returns for fishermen.

SDF 0355 – Strumble Tidal Flow
Research undertaken by SEACAMS (a partnership of marine experts from Bangor, Aberystwyth and Swansea Universities) for Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) has identified areas of the seabed off Strumble Head where there is potential for tidal flow devices to be installed. The Strumble Tidal Flow Project aims to realise the first community owned/led tidal flow project in Wales. This project would support TBG’s aims to mitigate the community’s impact on climate change and provide a sustainable energy source and security of supply, whilst also bringing local financial benefits for both local investors and local community initiatives. Following the SEACAMS report TBG have engaged with key stakeholder organisations to raise awareness of the project and to initiate potential partnerships. To drive the project forward to the next stage requires specialist consultants, with a high level of expertise in both marine energy and community development, to further partnerships and engage with marine device developers to identify a device suitable for installation. Work to develop a business plan and secure funding for subsequent stages is also crucial for ongoing progress including, for example, Crown Estate Seabed leasing. Due to its location and coastline marine energy sources are recognised as very important to Pembrokeshire. Development of a community tidal flow device would be an exemplar of best practice and provide a working demonstration of how tidal technology can deliver not only environmental benefit but wider community benefit too.

SDF 0356 – On the Trail of Wild Honey
On the Trail of Wild Honey is a collaborative developmental project which will in the longer term link landowners, beekeepers, tourists providers and retailers with habitat conservation projects across Pembrokeshire. The project vision is to:-
• Increase the production of premium quality honey from Pembrokeshire landscapes and to link production to the conservation story e.g. re-created heathlands and hay meadows, newly planted orchards and restored peatlands
• Create a collaborative working venture between beekeepers, landowners and conservation organisations to further the conservation land management at existing and new apiary sites
• Produce associated new local heathland products e.g. heather ale, heather honey mead or heather soap
• Promote products in local retail outlets
• Establish a ‘honey trail’ in conjunction with tourist providers, to tell the story of the county’s ‘bee-scapes’, the habitat creation projects, the ‘bee boles’, the native welsh black bee and the honey
To achieve this vision support is initially required to further develop an existing ecologically sound wild meadow seed and ecological consultancy business. This will involve expansion to existing capacity in the wild seed harvesting enterprise and to keep bees, process honey and provide hives for apiaries on conservation-minded farms. Work will entail salvaging, re-erecting and sustainably adapting a Dutch barn to house bees, equipment and wild meadow seed drying racks. By purchasing beehives, associated equipment and fencing to establish out-apiaries at sites across Pembrokeshire the initial phase of the project will not only help to secure the future of a viable small farming business but also add value to conservation initiatives that contribute to the conservation, enhancement and creation of important habitats that deliver recognised benefits to biodiversity.

SDF 0357 – Compost Heat Recovery
To enable the sustainable expansion of a National Park based tree surgery business this innovative project intends to use a Compost Heat Recovery system to provide an environmentally friendly source of heat for a kiln to dry firewood.  Virgin timber woodchip arising from tree surgery operations that cannot be dried and used as firewood will be composted in a specially constructed composting area incorporating a patented compost aeration and heat recovery system. Renewable thermal energy captured as moist hot compost vapour is run through specialised heat exchangers where water is heated and condensate water is reclaimed. Aeration exhaust or pre-heated air can be automatically sent back into the compost for moisture and energy optimisation. The hot water produced will run through and heat the kiln where split green timber will be dried to a 15% moisture content within 2-4 weeks. Once the compost mound stops producing heat for the kiln it can be sold for compost. In addition to the environmental benefits from using a renewable source of energy to heat the kiln, the project will also secure a sustainable local business, future employment and training opportunities and ongoing sustainable woodland management protecting habitats and wildlife.

SDF 0358 –Pembrokeshire Park Play, Our Way
Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs operate out of school childcare clubs that are staffed by qualified playworkers and provide play and learning opportunities to children (3-14 years) before and after school and during the school holidays. Their new project, “Pembrokeshire Park Play, Our Way” will build a greater awareness and understanding amongst children, young people and play-workers of the culture, wildlife, landscape and landuse of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (PCNP). This will include the importance of conserving its special coastal qualities and will be achieved by learning through play in an informal, fun way. The new sustainable low/no cost activities introduced will also encourage children to be more active outdoors providing additional health and wellbeing benefits. The project will give play-workers improved knowledge, skills, confidence and a bank of new sustainable activity ideas to facilitate environmental play, learning and action for children, within the context of the National Park. New activities will be piloted and evaluated locally and the new tested activities added to Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs environmental play pack called “Nature Zone”. To launch and demonstrate the new activities, a training event will be held to show play-workers how to best use the Nature Zone pack and promote the use of PCNP as a natural learning and play resource.

SDF 0359 – Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools
The Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools (PODS) partnership wishes to develop and deliver a new programme of training and support for schools to enable them to become more effective in delivering outdoor education. The programme would focus on a wide range of cross-curricular learning opportunities, whilst also promoting a greater understanding of and empathy with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and more generally, the natural world. The project will include:-
• A programme of bespoke training for teachers to provide teachers with opportunities to gain confidence in delivering learning outdoors across a range of topic areas.
• Outdoor learning sessions for pupils to showcase new approaches to learning outdoors, highlighting opportunities across the curriculum and in a range of settings.
• A range of new supporting materials for teachers to complement existing resources and with a local emphasis designed to enable teachers to access outdoor settings in Pembrokeshire and the National Park for learning.
A part- time PODS coordinator would deliver the programme with PODS partners contributing to the training and all other aspects of the project. PODS is a collaboration between the professional learning community in Pembrokeshire (including head-teachers, teachers and local authority advisors) and key strategic partners including Darwin Science, Sports Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the National Trust, Field Studies Council, Keep Wales Tidy (Eco-schools) and Health Promoting Schools Pembrokeshire. Outdoor Schools aim to promote the use of the outdoors across the National Curriculum to develop strong, fit, healthy children who are fully acquainted with the outdoors and who have a very well developed sense of physical and emotional wellbeing.

8. To discuss the AONB Review of the Sustainable Development Fund

1. To receive apologies for absence

2. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on 17 September 2014

4 To consider the report of the SDF Administrator

5. To consider the applications on the following pages:

SDF 0349 – Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm: Phase 3
The Bug Farm Phase 3 project will build on Phases 1 and 2 to deliver an exceptional, year-round, all weather educational experience for tourists, the local community, schools, colleges and universities. Phase 1 developed off-site educational events and research Projects. Phase 2 built on Phase 1 and supported the purchase of a farmstead and the development of the lecture room, laboratory, insect breeding rooms and associated infrastructure/employment. Phase 3 will see the opening of The Bug Farm to the public and in addition to on-site bug hunts, guided walks, workshops and discussion events will include  the following:

• A tropical walk-through Bug House created within a polytunnel, landscaped with tropical plants and containing butterflies and other invertebrates (“bugs”).
• A Pembrokeshire (temperate) walk-through Bug House also created in a polytunnel which will join the Tropical Bug House to create one continuous experience from the Amazon rainforest back to Pembrokeshire. This Bug House will be landscaped with Pembrokeshire’s native plants and habitats and stocked with our beautiful under-valued native invertebrate (“bug”) species, many of which are difficult to see in the wild.
• A Cocoon constructed from the farm’s old steel grain silo. You will enter into the hidden, alien world of the sights and sounds of insect metamorphosis.
• A ticket office/shop/gallery housed in the farm’s old milking shed. Here visitors will be able to buy their tickets, bug-hunting kits, entomological equipment, branded merchandise, produce from the Bug Farm farm and view insect art in the gallery area.

SDF 0346 – Solva Care Pilot Project
The overall aim of the Solva Care Community Project is to improve the health and wellbeing of the community by establishing a social enterprise company that would provide care packages at a variety of levels according to need. The work of locally based carers would be supported and enhanced by a team of volunteers.

By focusing on the needs of the individual in the community and providing continuity of care,  the project will also strengthen and support the wider community and facilitate an integrated holistic and sustainable approach to well being in the community.

Funding is required to support a two year pilot working with teams of volunteers, to establish the best ways of working at a local level to deliver a full programme of care to members of the community in need of help. The model of community care proposed is unique and was devised after community consultation concluded that this was a sustainable solution to meeting the current and longer term needs of the community, especially the older members. Funding would contribute towards the appointment of a part time Project Coordinator to assist in establishing the volunteer framework and arranging and delivering the training of volunteers. The Co-rdinator would also work towards implementation of the next phase (post pilot) of project delivery.

SDF 0347 – Off Grid Street Food
Café Môr, a multi-award winning street food offer based at Freshwater West and which serves locally sourced sustainable food, aims to develop the UK’s first off-grid mobile catering outlet. Mobile catering units are currently solely reliant on LPG gas to fuel cooking equipment and petrol generators to power fridges and freezers. This project will be the first of its kind and provide an example of how mobile catering can be powered by more sustainable resources. The project is to develop the existing mobile catering unit to operate without the need for an on-site generator. This will be achieved by installing photo-voltaic (pv) panels and a wind tubine to the roof of the trailer, a battery bank and DC/LPG compatible catering equipment or better energy efficient white goods. The project will be a pioneering project within the mobile catering industry and demonstrate the feasibility of reducing the use of fossil fuels to operate a mobile catering trailer. It will also mean that visitors to the trailer and beach will not experience the noise of the generator and provide visual evidence of how renewable energy and good design can provide all the services required to operate a trailer in a remote location. The exemplar project and a published case study will be widely publicised to show what can be achieved with renewable technology and raise awareness of the potential benefits of wider uptake by the mobile catering industry.

SDF 0348 – Newport Memorial Hall Medieval Kiln Project
The aim of this community based project is to create a new cultural heritage attraction by conserving a medieval pottery kiln (15th Century), registered as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Nationally Important Designated Site. It is also to provide a complimentary and diverse programme of community engagement activities and educational workshops. These will promote the wider understanding and awareness of sustainability through related themes and help boost the local economy through heritage tourism in order to build capacity in the community.

The kiln was discovered when excavating the foundations for Newport Memorial Hall in 1921 and there it has remained ever since, hidden from view in the basement. Led by volunteers, with the support of the project manager, essential structural changes will be undertaken to improve environmental conditions and therefore inhibit mould growth that is currently threatening the fabric of the kiln. This work will also allow access to the kiln by the public and provide a multi-purpose education resource area with interpretation of the medieval kiln, medieval Newport, the kiln’s pottery and its regional story. Creative interpretation of the kiln will also reflect the wider issues linking the medieval kiln and its pottery to geology, the environment and sustainability. In a report commissioned by CADW the kiln has been described as ‘the best preserved medieval pottery kiln in Wales, possibly the UK’.

SDF 0350 – Grub
Grub is a new venture that aims to change opinions about how and what we eat. It is an exciting, innovative new food business that champions and promotes eating insects (entomophagy). Insects are one of nature’s most abundant resources and vastly untapped foods and this project will challenge convention about how the majority of people in the developed world think about the food we eat. Creating awareness and positively promoting this innovative and sustainable alternative to conventionally farmed sources of protein is essential to fulfil our need for protein as the population is predicted to exceed nine billion by 2050; it is also the reason for developing Grub. Funding is required to complete building refurbishment for a restaurant, seating and interactive engagement area at Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm in St Davids, which is the ideal location for this venture to be based. Grub will be a stand-alone venture but collaboration will be mutually beneficial and deliver an enhanced visitor experience.

The seating area for approximately 50-60 people will provide space to serve high quality food and drink to the public but has also been designed as an interactive venue for outreach events including workshops, cooking demonstrations and sustainability feast nights incorporating an entomophagy theme. These events will teach people how to explore the exciting new world of edible insects, as well as how to cook them and integrate them into their diets. The events will be developed and tailored to fit specific target audiences such as school/college/university groups, farming and agriculture professionals and private groups. The restaurant will offer a completely new combined dining and learning experience with a menu featuring both conventional and “unconventional fare”. There will be a large display showing edible insects of the world and information boards where local, native edible species are described alongside their edible tropical relatives. Dishes will range from an edible insect ‘pick and mix’ starter, to cricket crepes with bamboo worm fudge sauce for pudding; all highly unusual but delicious!

SDF 0351 – Marine Energy – Education Development and Fisheries Diversification
Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, through their Marine Energy Pembrokeshire work-stream, aims to raise awareness of the recognised marine energy potential of the sea surrounding Pembrokeshire and in particular focus on forthcoming opportunities for socio economic benefit. This project will engage with young people in one of the county’s secondary schools and the local fishing community to raise awareness of potential involvement and opportunity associated with the developing marine renewable energy industry. Funding would assist delivery of:-

• a new education programme providing information on renewable energy and promoting upcoming career opportunities in the marine energy industry. This will enable students to make informed choices regarding their subject options and future career path. The programme will be delivered during geography lessons and will be linked to the National Curriculum and local future industry needs.
• two stakeholder engagement events with the fisheries sector to improve future livelihood prospects by explaining possible diversification options associated with the Pembrokeshire Marine Energy Wave Demonstration Zone and marine energy industry in the area.

Early engagement is considered essential to ensure that local communities are in a strong position to take advantage of opportunities and reap potential benefits.

1. To elect a Chairman for the ensuing year.

2. To elect a Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

3. To receive apologies for absence

2. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 29th January 2014

4 To consider the report of the SDF Administrator

5. To consider the applications on the following pages:

SDF 0343 – A Stitch in Time
This project is a pilot, river catchment-based project, to control invasive non-native plant species in the Gwaun Valley. A project coordinator will be employed for fifteen months on a part-time basis in order to involve organisations, landowners and communities in surveying the upper area of the Gwaun Valley catchment for invasive non-native plant species and then using species and location appropriate methods and techniques to control Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Rhododendron. These three key invasive species have been identified by the Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnership as priority species for control.

The intended outcomes of the project are:
1) A locally-adapted, catchment-based, invasive species control model, applicable in the National Park and wider Pembrokeshire, in even the most environmentally-sensitive areas.
2) Mapped knowledge of and reduction in extent of invasive species in the Gwaun valley catchment
3) Increased agency and individual/community awareness of and capacity to manage key invasive plant species following the project.
4) Online documentation of the project as a reference resource, to include approaches to engagement with communities and partner organisations, invasive species survey, mapping, identification of transmission routes, treatment and lessons learned.

SDF 0344 – Marine Code – Caldey Island Buoyage
The main output from this project is the provision and placement of buoys to support awareness of and adherence to the Marine Code in the area around Caldey and St Margaret’s Islands. Visually marking the sensitive locations with buoys is a different approach that will alert water users, raise awareness of the code and therefore change behaviour to help protect marine wildlife, the special qualities of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and consequently the local economy. This will be linked to new supporting educational and awareness raising material and, if successful, could be deployed in other locations in Pembrokeshire and further afield. The Marine Code is a combination of Voluntary Seasonal Access Agreements and Codes of Conduct for minimising disturbance to marine wildlife which helps protect marine ecosystems. The partnership approach which includes local businesses, statutory and non-statutory organisations has been in existence for over 10 years. This collaboration has developed an approach which is viewed as best practice around the UK, helps protect a wildlife boat trip sector that is worth an estimated £9.7m of expenditure per annum to the local economy and is written into Marine Licenses by NRW.

SDF 0345 – Biomass Firewood Kiln
This project involves the construction of a firewood kiln that will be fuelled by biomass. It will assist a tree surgery business based in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to expand their existing business sustainably and create additional employment and training opportunities. The kiln will be constructed from a super insulated shipping container with an electric ventilation/humidity/temperature control system. The heat source will be underfloor heating supplied by solar thermal energy and a biomass boiler. The tree working activities will provide a sustainable local base material which will be sold on as kiln dried firewood. During the processing of the firewood, a large amount of waste material (not suitable to be sold on) is also produced and this will be used to fuel the kiln. A bespoke racking and stacking system will be used to dry the woodchip from the tree surgery operations. Benefits of kiln drying timber include:-
• no requirement for a large storage shed as the timber can be processed and seasoned in a matter of days to provide a ‘made to order service’
• Fuel produced as and when required
• Moisture content below 12% (unachievable from air drying timber) giving a superior more efficient fuel
Lasting impacts of the project will be a sustainable local business, employment and sustainable woodland management that will protect habitats and biodiversity.

1. To receive apologies for absence

2. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 8th May 2013

4 To consider the report of the SDF Administrator

5. To consider the applications on the following pages:

SDF 0340 – Passive Window and Door Manufacturing Area
Thomas Joinery’s aim is to grow their business sustainably by increasing manufacturing capability, reducing energy consumption and associated costs and providing ongoing employment and training opportunities as well as continuing to manufacture and supply high quality sustainable products. To achieve this aim they need to update and improve their existing premises and processes by:-
Extending the workshop area, including the spray shop and providing timber and briquette stock storage capacity
Modernising the spray shop facility to increase volume and efficiency

Putting in place ‘greener’ energy solutions e.g. LED lighting
The business has designed a ‘Passive Window’ which has been certified by the German Passive Haus Institute. They are the only manufacturer in the UK of these high specification timber items. This project is essential to test the ‘Passive Windows and Doors’ for Secure by Design by TRADA (trade recognised organisation for product testing) and to meet new demands in addition to regular orders, whilst continuing to secure the employment and training of local people.

SDF 0341- Grub
Grub is a food experience with a difference, turning everything you think you know about food and sustainable eating on its head, whilst utilising and promoting the huge variety of fantastic resources available in Pembrokeshire. Grub introduces people to the world of entomophagy (eating insects) as well as other sustainable, less well-known sources of animal and vegetable protein. Grub is an innovative food experience which will educate, demonstrate and advise people on making more sustainable choices when it comes to feeding themselves and their families. Grub will be located on Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm. It will operate as a completely separate business, but will be linked closely with the ethos and overall aim of: ‘conservation through research, innovation and education’. Indeed a collaboration between Grub and the Bug Farm will see the breeding of a huge variety of edible insects on-site, for sale at the Bug Farm, and for use in dishes at Grub’s innovative, new, low-carbon restaurant.  Grub will deliver interactive cooking demonstrations and educational packages for school groups. It will also create a community hub to connect people that want to discover a more sustainable lifestyle from field to fork. Regular feast nights will double-up as workshops where locals and visitors to the area can enjoy food from Grub’s restaurant. Guest speakers will deliver talks on the many aspects and skills behind sustainable living. Question and answer sessions will encourage people to share knowledge and information.

SDF 0342 – Theatr Gwaun/Newport Memorial Hall Collaboration Project Manager
The community venues of Newport Memorial Hall and Theatre Gwaun wish to trial a collaborative approach towards the management and development of both venues. By creating two new part time Collaborative Project Manager posts, over the next three years the project will build upon work already carried out to enhance and develop these facilities in a complementary way, whilst steering both venues towards grant independence. This new partnership will develop a dynamic complementary programme of events and new joint projects in a cost effective way, which boosts and adds value to existing programmes. By working with other organisations and ensuring community involvement, participation and outreach, this project will secure a central resource for activities, culture, art, social activity and local heritage, which are considered essential components for truly sustainable communities.

1. To receive apologies for absence

2. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 16th January 2013

4 To consider the report of the SDF Administrator

5. To consider the applications on the following pages:

SDF0331 – Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture Polytunnel
Caerhys Organic Community Supported Agriculture (COCA) is a community supported agriculture scheme run on the principles of social enterprise.  Member households pay £20 to £40 a month for a weekly share of organically grown local produce. COCA has been growing organic seasonal vegetables on 4 acres of land at Caerhys Organic Farm since early 2010.  In order to ensure better early growing conditions for a larger variety of module-grown field crops, over winter production of late and early salads and greens and increased summer production of tender crops such as tomatoes, cucumber, beans and sweetcorn, COCA wish to purchase a second polytunnel. More than one polytunnel is required for crop rotation, organic disease control and to achieve the extended season and quantities of production aimed for in uncertain climatic conditions. This second polytunnel is vital to maintain and improve the quality, quantity and variety of vegetables, which will help to expand membership to a target of 80 households.

SDF0332 – Diversity Outdoors in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Through this project ‘Diversity Outdoors’ aim to introduce people from the Ethnic Minority Communities of South East Wales to the natural beauty and opportunities for healthy activity in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (PCNP).  This will be achieved by organising a programme of enjoyable and educational visit and events, which will break down barriers to people from diverse cultural communities accessing the PCNP.  By using new and different methods to help groups who otherwise wouldn’t visit Pembrokeshire to get to know and appreciate the National Park, the project will build lasting links between urban ethnic minority visitors and communities in the National Park for mutual benefit.  Planned activities will explore creative and innovative ways to promote a deeper understanding of the natural environment, sustainability and the value of supporting sustainable small businesses in the National Park.  The project will explore the value of using Participatory Action Research evaluation methods to involve participants in project development and planning and draw out learning on good practice whilst also building mutual understanding.

SDF0333 – Coppice Plot Charcoal
Project application withdrawn.

SDF0334 – Waste Paper and Card to Bio-mass Solid Fuel
Polypembs  Ltd offers a free collection of waste expanded polystyrene packaging and associated cardboard and paper from local businesses and amenity sites to capture this valuable resource before it enters the waste stream.

This project will bring a new and useful solution to the packaging paper, card and cardboard that is collected and is at present baled and transported to distant mills or exported.  The cardboard and paper will be processed into an economical bio-mass fuel to be used locally in open fires, log burners, Aga’s and bio-mass boilers.  This high performance fuel in the form of small logs or briquettes will be available throughout the local area in bulk or bagged form and will offer a real and cost effective alternative to traditional solid fuels.

SDF0335 – Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm: Phase I
Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm is a brand-new venture set up in 2013 and based in St Davids. The Bug Farm combines:-

1) ‘Dung Beetles Direct’ (DBD): an innovative initiative breeding dung beetles to supply to farmers/horse-owners to deliver key ecosystem services including removal of dung from pasture and
2) education and outreach on the importance of insects.

SDF support is requested to start up the education and outreach programme, for scientific research essential to the success of ‘Dung Beetles Direct’, and to disseminate knowledge and raise awareness of the importance of dung beetles in a sustainable ecosystem.

The education and outreach programme will include expert led bug safaris, across land in St Davids, on Ramsey Island and beyond.  Participants will learn about the importance of insects and their roles in our sustainable future.  The research element of the project will include a study to map the genetic diversity of dung beetle species to ensure that only the correct species are bred and released, preventing genetic dilution of wild populations and to test beetles for transmissible livestock diseases.  This will ensure the sustainable development of DBD and that it builds its reputation as a world leader in its field.

This first phase of a much bigger overall project vision to develop the Bug Farm activities into a research station and educational facility is essential for the sustainable start-up and early development of Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm.

SDF0336 – Saundersfoot Regency Hall Community Regeneration Project
Saundersfoot’s Community Village Hall (The Regency Hall) that was designed and built over 50 years ago by local people has been demolished and is being replaced by a new modern, energy efficient and sustainably designed community building. The new building is being constructed to BREEAM Very Good standard and will provide significantly improved facilities for residents, visitors, community groups, local businesses and many others.  To complete the refurbishment, ensure that the Hall will be able to deliver for its wide range of users and be financially sustainable into the future, additional funding is required.  The funding requested is needed to complete the fit for purpose kitchen, for a theatrical sound and lighting system and an electric mobility scooter to benefit residents and visitors with limited mobility.  The kitchen equipment will support a small café for the hall users and enable catering for larger hall bookings such as weddings and conferences.  The sound and lighting equipment will greatly enhance productions by local amateur dramatic societies and also benefit the local schools as well as facilitating other activities including concerts, meetings, film shows, conferences, drama or exercise classes etc.  All will enhance social cohesion, promote inter-generational activities within the community, encourage greater inclusivity and are essential for longer term financial viability.

SDF0337 – Stackpole Gardens Development
Pembrokeshire Mencap Ltd has been providing facilities for adults with learning difficulties for over 30 years at Stackpole Gardens.  Clients from all over the County study basic horticulture and life skills associated with meeting members of the public who buy produce grown by the clients.  They are currently in the final stage of completing their new straw baled building (part funded by SDF and CCW over the last two years). This project is the next stage after completing the new building, which will house a shop, office, community space/tea room and kitchen.  They are planning a new education programme aimed at primary school age children, better access and landscaping to increase the overall number of people visiting and benefitting from the gardens and a new greenhouse.  The greenhouse will be located on the south side of the original heated garden wall first used in the late 18th century.  The new greenhouse will help to ensure a constant supply of vegetables which can then be sold in the shop or used as fresh produce in the café.  School children and visitors will be able to see fresh vegetables from seedlings to mature plants ready for harvesting.  They will learn how even the smallest garden or backyard can grow produce for use in home cooking.  Other education information displayed will explain the history of the gardens and the way they functioned 250 years ago. This will include the rainwater recycle reservoir, the heated mellon pits and the heated hollow walls.  The additional work required for renovation and improvement of access to the site and new building will include new sustainable oak gates and improved car park facilities, particularly benefitting visitors reliant on wheel chairs.

SDF0338 – Green Key Pilot
Green Key is a non-governmental, independent, eco-labelling programme for the tourist industry, which is recognised and supported by the World Tourism Organisation and the United Nations Environment Programme.  Keep Wales Tidy (KWT) wish to run a 14 month pilot of Green Key in Pembrokeshire, with the longer term aim to establish Green Key in Wales. Currently Green Key is not run anywhere in the UK.  The pilot will be based on working with 25 tourism businesses in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and establishing an Advisory Committee, with members from tourism interest groups locally as well as national organisations such as Visit Wales and Welsh Water, to develop and test the criteria for the programme. Crucial to the pilot is the development of an IT system to enable the programme to be run electronically, which is essential to make participation and evaluation as easy as possible.  This will be achieved by looking at on-line systems developed in France and the Netherlands and adapting a suitable version for Wales. The pilot will also allow KWT to set affordable fee structures which reflect the different sizes of establishments.  A business plan will be commissioned to ensure that the Green Key Programme and the fee structure that emerges can be rolled out effectively, is economically sound and contributes to the upkeep of the local environment by incorporating a form of visitor pay-back.

SDF 0339 – Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm: Phase II
Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm is a new venture set up in 2013 and based in St Davids. Phase I of the project is to establish an education and outreach programme on the importance of insects and to undertake scientific research in connection with breeding dung beetles for key ecosystems services.  This Phase II project will enable the enterprise to develop into a farm delivering conservation through research, innovation and education.  It is the next step towards overall development of the Bug Farm and includes the purchase of a farmstead site in St Davids so that the Bug Farm has a permanent base that will enable expansion of the enterprise to meet demand.  After purchase, two traditional buildings will be renovated into a laboratory/interpretative centre and a controlled temperature dung beetle breeding room with a public viewing gallery.  A wheelchair-accessible compost toilet will also be built.  These facilities will allow development into an internationally renowned research station, an education resource for residents and tourists and provide a wet weather tourist attraction.  The project also aims to restore lowland heath habitat on the farm, creating a linked corridor between two habitats of national importance for biodiversity, i.e. between Dowrog Common Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and St Davids Airfield (SSSI).  It also provides a unique research opportunity into species movements and colonisation of previously isolated habitat patches through conservation grazing on the farm and Dowrog Common.

Overall, the funding would provide the infrastructure to develop the Bug Farm into an internationally-renowned research station, facilitate innovative, world-class research on ecosystem services provided by wildlife and the future of sustainable food production.  The public interpretative centre at the Bug Farm would then act to disseminate this innovative research to the residents of, and visitors to, Pembrokeshire, whilst the creation of the habitat corridor delivers conservation in action.

1. To receive apologies for absence

2. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

3. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Committee held on the 3rd October, 2012

4 To consider the report of the SDF Administrator 

5. To consider the applications on the following pages:

SDF 0326 – Wyndrush Wild Meadow Seed
This project entails harvesting seed from wildflower meadows for use by local individuals and organisations who wish to restore similar meadows on their own land. The project will provide an economic incentive for traditional, good ecological management of flower-rich hay meadows, helping this scarce and precious resource to be maintained into the future. It will also provide opportunities for additions to this resource to be made in an ecologically sound fashion, using locally-sourced, native seed from plants adapted to the Pembrokeshire environment.

SDF 0327 – Affordable Solar Homes
Solar Homes is a new project to develop low density affordable housing and microgeneration in an integrated unit. It also seeks to source 80% of its materials and expertise in Wales and create local employment. The main output of this project will be a working prototype of a solar powered 2 storey 100sqm home to Level4/5 of the sustainability code at under £50,000.
The solar homes project has four objectives;
1. To develop an Eco home with a Code for Sustainable Homes rating of at least level 4 at a cost below £50k
2. To utilise locally sourced timber for the substantial part of its construction thereby creating a sustainable regional supply chain.
3. To commercialise the prototype for sale as a prefabricated house and create local, semi skilled, manufacturing jobs
4.bring a change in awareness of timber built homes.

SDF 0328 – Cemaes Himalayan Balsam Eradication Project 2013
St Dogmaels Community Association’s project “Cemaes Himalayan Balsam Eradication Project 2013” will follow on from successful project work commenced in 2012. The overall aim is to prevent the spread & to eradicate the invasive weed, Himalayan Balsam, from a 30 acre area on Cemaes Head and to return land unmanaged for many decades to a more productive agricultural state with a pattern of natural wildlife habitat areas of blackthorn & gorse stands within the fields . Work undertaken to date has proved effective, but to realise even greater potential benefits to conservation, biodiversity and longer term sustainable land management, additional follow on work is essential. Project work will include further removal of Himalayan Balsam from sites by hand pulling or mechanical means, depending upon the density of plant growth and nature of the terrain.

SDF 0329 – eduCAT
The eduCAT (education catalyst) project takes actual sustainability challenges, which are being experienced by business or public sector organizations, into the County’s secondary schools. Pupils from an entire school year group are encouraged and helped to develop innovative and practical solutions to the set challenges that take into account social, economic and environmental considerations. With guidance, their ideas will be developed into a business plan that will be presented back to the challenge setter. Pupils gain new understanding and an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to real life business situations, whilst developing new skills such as creative thinking and practical understanding of the implications and constraints that climate change may place on their future employers. Adventure guides, who are currently only seasonally employed, will be trained to deliver the programme, which will also help to retain skilled young people working in the county throughout the year.

SDF 0330 – Cardigan Community Regeneration Options Appraisal Study
4CG, a community enterprise company, are seeking SDF support to undertake a feasibility study and fully business planned options appraisal exercise to determine how they can best deliver commercially viable sustainable development of Cardigan and the surrounding areas. Their over-riding intention is to support and future proof the local economy, by provision of the most appropriate facilities to support local businesses and producers and to retain finances and resources locally. Through community share offers and loan facilities they have purchased three sites in Cardigan which will be developed for the benefit of the local economy. The proposed study will look at all aspects of these sites to determine costed and commercially viable options from which one will be chosen as the optimal form of development. An important part of the study will also be community consultation, as it is hoped that the preferred development option will become a new ‘heart’ for Cardigan and surrounding communities. It will be an exemplar, fully commercially viable model of community based sustainable development of benefit to other communities who seek the same future for their local area.

1. To elect a Chairman for the ensuing year.

2. To elect a Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

3. To receive apologies for absence

4. To receive any disclosure of interest by Members or Officers in respect of any item of business

5. To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the SDF Grant Assessment Panel held on the 24th February, 2012

6. To consider the report of the SDF Administrator

7. To consider the following applications:

SDF 0323 – Economic Valuation of Marine Recreation Activity
Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum (PCF), utilising specialist Consultant expertise will provide an economic value to mapped areas of marine recreation in two pilot areas of Pembrokeshire. This will provide clear evidence and methods to state how much individual activities are worth to the local economy and provide a repeatable process to expand the project geographically. The work will be an extension to existing sustainable recreation management work, including the Wales Activity Mapping (WAM) project.  A consortium of leading experts will devise methods to place £s in all of the mapped areas of activity and activity pathways for each pilot area, which will enable a direct value to be placed on the local economy for activities such as wildlife boat trips around Ramsey, coasteering on St Davids Head, sea angling in Dale etc.  The work will take place using a phased approach by firstly assessing a suitable draft methodology which would be informed through literature review and then testing and applying this to two sites of relevance to national policy viz, Dale and St Davids Peninsula. Identifying areas of high recreational use/value has many potential benefits. For example, it will provide an evidence based approach to marine and coastal planning processes and assist coastal communities, activity providers and the recreation and tourism industry to engage with upcoming policy consultation.

SDF 0324 – Marine Wildlife Awareness Schools Road Show
This project proposes to bring a marine life ‘road show’ by ‘Silent World to You’ to 20-25 primary schools in Pembrokeshire. Targetted at the Foundation Phase (3-7 year olds) the outside world will be brought into the classroom (in several aquaria!), along with simple supplementary resources to make the most of the experience, and with the potential for follow-up by local marine biologists. A pack will be provided with extension ideas including associated curriculum-linked activity suggestions, guidance on fieldwork, list of fieldwork sites and further information links.The objective of the project is to raise awareness of local marine wildlife, and to highlight that human use of the marine environment and adjacent coast can affect marine life.

SDF 0325 – Walking with Wheels
This project will build upon work already being undertaken through the existing National Park Authority ‘Walkability’ Project, which is partly funded by Hywel Dda Health Trust and encourages people with limited mobility to get out and enjoy the countryside. It has also identified a much greater demand for organised walks and events for those with mobility problems. ‘Walking with Wheels’ will increase the number of participants and reduce some of the barriers the less mobile have to overcome in order to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors by:

1. Providing an electric mobility scooter at both Tenby and
Newport Visitor Centres
2. Developing a circular mobility path at St Davids Airfield
3. Developing a series of suitable ‘walks’ in these locations
4. Providing additional transport capable of carrying wheelchairs for mobility walks
to key locations
5. Providing suitably qualified and experience ‘walk’ leaders
It will enable residents and visitors who feel they are excluded due to their health and mobility problems to enjoy the outdoors with potential benefits for their physical and mental well being as well and to develop new social connections. Some of the organised walks will introduce the participants to areas of the National Park with significant biodiversity and historical interest and the leaflets for the walks will include points of interest en route.