A GREEN infrastructure partnership project in Haverfordwest has been named as one of six UK finalists in the category for Excellence in Planning for Health and Wellbeing at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2021.

The Cleddau Reaches project has created many popular eco-friendly features on the town’s rural outskirts, including:

• A new 3km circular path on the banks of the river Cleddau with a new footbridge
• Habitat restoration at the nature reserves at Priory Saltings and the Old Mill grounds (including the creation of artificial otter holts)
• A new kayak access to the river
• Management of invasive non-native species at the Old Mill grounds and flood alleviation measures
• A new living green wall on the riverbank in the town centre

The project has aimed to enhance wellbeing, encourage a better sense of connection between residents/visitors and the natural environment, and restore a heavily modified part of the Cleddau, said Cllr Phil Baker, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure.

“It has also created a much improved connectivity between Haverfordwest and its beautiful rural surroundings,” said Cllr Baker.

Cleddau Reaches project

He added: “It’s been heartening to know how popular the project has been. During lockdown, many local residents in Haverfordwest enjoyed the opportunity to get some fresh air, exercise and explore the countryside and riverbanks on their doorstep and we hope that was beneficial to them.”

The Cleddau Reaches scheme is run by Pembrokeshire County Council and involves a range of organisations including Natural Resources Wales, Haverfordwest Town Council, Bridge Meadow Trust, Hywel Dda Health Board, Welsh Government, Haverfordwest Kayak Club, Pembrokeshire College, Bluestone Resort and the Landfill Communities Tax.

“One of the reasons the project has been so successful is because of its collaborative nature,” said Cllr Baker.

“As well as working with several organisations and local County Councillors, the project has also engaged with training (through Pembrokeshire College), volunteers, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Youth Rangers and Norman Industries social enterprise – all of which has helped to strengthen the work taking place.”

The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry. Running for over 40 years, they celebrate exceptional examples of planning and the contribution planners make to society.

RTPI President Wei Yang FRTPI said: “Many congratulations to all the finalists at this year’s RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence – these projects, teams and individuals showcase the very best of the planning profession from all the RTPI’s regions and nations and from countries around the world.

“For over 40 years, these prestigious awards have celebrated the exceptional work undertaken by town planners. In the middle of a global pandemic, I believe they are more relevant than ever before, recognising the incredible commitment and dedication of planners who have risen to the challenge of responding to the impacts of Covid-19 on the planning system.

Cleddau Reaches path near bridge meadow

“I wish all the finalists the very best of luck at the ceremony on 29 April.”

Sarah Elliott MRTPI, UK&I Town Planning Lead for Buildings + Places at AECOM, said: “AECOM is proud to once again be a headline sponsor of this year’s RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence. The finalists are a diverse mixture of outstanding examples of planning, including new responses driven by the pandemic and climate change. Once again this demonstrates the breadth of the impact the profession has on quality place making and delivery in the built environment, alongside our resilience to evolve and adapt.”

The winners will be announced during a ceremony held virtually in the Awards Room on Evessio at 4pm on Thursday, April 29, 2021.

The RTPI champions the power of planning in creating prosperous places and vibrant communities. It is the only body in the UK that confers Chartered status to planners, the highest professional qualification sought after by employers. It supports its members – over 26,000 worldwide – throughout their careers.