A Pembrokeshire councillor has said that residents believe a popular Haverfordwest beauty spot has become 'unusable' after a rewilding project.
Fortune’s Frolic, on the banks of the Western Cleddau, is a well-known area for dog walkers and families, marking the start of a circular walk from Haverfordwest town centre towards St Ishmael's Church.
However, concerns have been raised about the state of the area since Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC)'s decision to "rewild" it.
Councillor Di Clements, county councillor for Martletwy, said she had received numerous complaints from residents about rough sleeping, the presence of human waste, and general neglect of the area.
Councillor Clements said people had come to her asking why the grass had been allowed to grow so long and why the area appeared uncared for.
She said: "It used to be a place where dog walkers and families would go for picnics but now the grass is so long, people avoid it.
"It’s such a shame.
"While I understand the statutory requirement of PCC to increase biodiversity, we now have a once well used amenity area being used less and less and attracting complaints."
After meeting with Uzmaston community council and PCC officers in June to discuss the management changes and future vision for Fortune’s Frolic, Councillor Clements said complaints were still being made.
She is eager for residents, the community council, and PCC to reach an agreement on the future of Fortune’s Frolic and has arranged a meeting for September 2.
PCC officers will be present at the site to explain why a change of approach to the management of green amenity spaces is needed.
Plans are in place to create an additional mowed area somewhere in the site to compensate for the rewilded area, but this has yet to be implemented.
Plans are also in place to plant additional wildflower plugs this autumn and to plant trees to contribute towards the natural succession of trees at the site.
Anyone interested can attend the meeting at Fortune’s Frolic on September 2 at 2pm. People are asked to meet just by the entrance.
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