A RESIDENT of Dyserth has criticised the National Trust for erecting “ugly” fencing at a previously unrestricted Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) overlooking Meliden.
The resident, who asked not to be named, said it has spoiled his enjoyment of Graig Fawr, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), where he regularly walks his dog.
Graig Fawr, with a 500ft summit, was donated to the National Trust more than 50 years ago by Sir Geoffrey Summers, who owned Shotton Steelworks, whose grave and memorial are at St Bridget’s in Dyserth.
Since then, the resident said, “access has been unrestricted, as it was when he was alive”, with its only agricultural use being “the occasional introduction of a small number of sheep, and even then, only a few weeks at a time”.
But the resident, who added that his wife knew Sir Geoffrey Summers personally, said this has changed in the last few weeks, much to his annoyance.
He said: “New tall, ugly, wire fences have been erected and although there are a number of access points, there are an equal number of other well-used pathways, some more important than others, that have been closed off.
“They are now in the process of erecting post and wire fences which, again, ignore traditional pathways, allowing access only where they deem necessary.
“Water troughs have also been introduced.
“No previous plans have been made available for any public input; only a small notice in the car park of some proposed fencing to aid livestock.
“When and how will this escalate, to the detriment of enjoyment of the public?”
The resident was also critical of the National Trust’s “poor and shoddy” efforts to enhance the site’s car park, which he called a “disgusting mess”.
He called for there to be open, unrestricted access at the site once again and for the organisation to do away with the new fencing introduced.
He added: “The National Trust have questions to answer.
“Though, if they handle this matter in the same dismissive manner they dealt with concerns of the poor and shoddy attempts to improve the car park, then I don’t hold out much hope for an improvement of the situation.
“I have been in touch with the National Trust before, about the state of the car park when they did it, but they were dismissive. They put this horrible surface down, which was dangerous underfoot.
“They said it was up to standard, when it’s actually a disgusting mess. They’ve left the area around it as a pile of mud; they didn’t put wildflowers in, or anything like that.
“I want there to be open access again. I met contractors who were putting the first fence up, and said that they’d actually closed off a path that was used extensively, which leads from the main steps going up on to the mountain.
“I said: ‘You’ve got two options – put a gate in, or clear a path to make it accessible again’. Nothing’s happened about it.
“Now, they’ve been putting new fencing up. They’re closing off something which has, to my knowledge, been open access for 50 years.”
In response, the National Trust said the fencing has been introduced to increase its control regarding where livestock are grazing.
Gates, meanwhile, have been introduced to “ensure people can continue to access the common”.
It added that fencing and gates was necessary for such a procedure due to Graig Fawr being situated on limestone rock.
A spokesperson for National Trust Cymru said: “Graig Fawr is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) cared for by National Trust Cymru.
“Working in consultation with Natural Resources Wales and our tenant farmer, we are managing this important limestone grassland habitat for the benefit of nature conservation whilst maintaining access for people.
“To support nature at Graig Fawr, we are introducing fencing to better control where livestock graze.
“Controlled grazing is an effective and natural way to maintain grassland habitats and ensure a wider variety of wildlife.
“Because Graig Fawr is situated on limestone rock, metal fencing and gates need to be used instead of wooden posts.
“The fence is of a reasonable height to allow for the possibility for a variety of livestock to graze there in the future.
“Over time, all of this will help improve the precious habitat at Graig Fawr and help nature to thrive, benefiting us all.
“We have also made improvements to the car park, adding drainage and a new limestone surface.
“To ensure people can continue to access the common we installed kissing gates at intervals along the new fence, engaging with the local community prior to works starting.
“Everyone is welcome to Graig Fawr, to walk and enjoy the views and beauty of this place forever.”
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