Significant funding to improve nature and wildlife in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has been awarded £247,000 from the Nature Network Fund to help protect and improve important wildlife habitats across the county borough.

RCT is home to a huge range of natural landscapes, which support many rare and important species. In busy areas like the South Wales Valleys, new development can put pressure on these habitats and the planning system plays a vital role in protecting and strengthening them.

Working with the South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre (SEWBReC), and in collaboration with developers and local land managers, the Council will look at how land set aside for wildlife as part of planning agreements can be better managed. The aim is to create “stepping stones” between protected sites, helping species move more easily across the landscape and making the whole area more resilient to climate change.

The project will also help shape future planning policies, ensuring the right balance between supporting development and protecting the natural environment.

As part of the work, the Council will run community training sessions to help residents learn how to identify local habitats and learn more about the species that live in them.

Councillor Mark Norris, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Housing, said:
“This funding is fantastic news for Rhondda Cynon Taf. It will help us protect the incredible wildlife on our doorstep and make sure our natural spaces can thrive for generations to come. We’re extremely grateful for the significant support from the Nature Networks Fund.”

The Nature Networks Fund is a programme delivered by the Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government and in partnership with Natural Resources Wales. It supports projects that strengthen and restore Wales’ network of protected land and marine sites, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas and National Nature Reserves.