RESIDENTS of Fern Way in Rhyl have reached a compromise with Denbighshire County Council (DCC) following their upset at its creation of a wildflower meadow on a greenspace in the area.

This site is part of a wider project of DCC, which looks to restore and increase the number of habitats available for pollinators and wildlife across the county.

Fern Way’s wildflower meadow is one of more than 100 managed sites across Denbighshire.

But in July, the Journal reported that residents were unhappy about the perceived lack of communication from the council, and the deprivation of the greenspace.

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At a meeting on August 22 with council representatives, including climate change project manager Liz Wilcox-Jones, the following agreements were reached:

  • The wildflower area on the opposite side of the path to the bench will be maintained. No path will be cut around this area, but a 1m border along path will be cut.
  • The grass on the bench side of the path will continue to be regularly cut, expect for an identified triangle area behind the bench.
  • A new picnic bench will be installed under the trees, and, if possible, the existing bench will be replaced.
  • The area around the trees where the new bench is to be installed will be cut, but trimmers will not be used, so as to protect the trees.

Rhyl Journal: The wildflower meadow at Fern Way, Rhyl The wildflower meadow at Fern Way, Rhyl (Image: Cllr Brian Jones)

Extracts from an email shown to the Journal, from Ms Wilcox-Jones to numerous Fern Way residents, read: “The grass will now go back into our regular cutting schedule, until the wildflower meadow season next year, where it won’t be cut between March to August (at the agreed wildflower areas).

“We are hopeful we will do up to three ‘cut and collects’ next year to help the sites establish, but all sites will be cut as a matter of course from August 1 each year after the growing period.”

Cllr Brian Jones, who represents the Rhyl Ty Newydd ward (in which the site is situated) for DCC, had previously urged the council to compromise its plans for the land to appease the residents.

Following this meeting, he said: “A sensible compromise has been reached to retain a substantial area of Fern Way for recreational purposes.

“DCC has also agreed to install an extra bench at the site, which is most welcome.

“I am pleased with the outcome of the discussions and agreements of the meeting.”

Keith Humphries, a Fern Way resident, said “We had a successful meeting with representatives of DCC yesterday and an amicable agreement was reached between both parties.

“I would like to thank Cllr Jones for his help in this matter.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said he was pleased to have a “got a result to our satisfaction”.

The Fern Way wildflower meadow was one of eight such sites in Denbighshire to be chosen last week for the council’s yellow rattle seeding programme.