1. How does the Government ensure that any projects it funds do not impact negatively on the local environment? OQ61266

Thank you, Sioned, for that question. We have a range of tools in place, including impact assessments, to help consider how projects might impact the local environment and, of course, citizens. Through the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, we can deliver for people now, protect the environment and leave a positive legacy behind for future generations.

Diolch. The Welsh Government has backed building a multimillion-pound cable car and zipline attraction in Swansea, which would, according to local people, trash a beloved and well-used green space in the city. The plan, by Skyline Enterprises Ltd, on Kilvey Hill, and backed by the Welsh Government to the tune of £4 million, will also cause a loss of wildlife, according to members of the local community. Kilvey Hill is a peaceful community woodland and those who are opposing the plans say that it would take away this very valued green space in a part of the city that is lacking in such spaces. The Open Spaces Society, Britain's oldest conservation body, has backed the local campaign to save Kilvey Hill from the possible detrimental environmental effects of the plan. So, how is the Welsh Government ensuring that their investment in this project will not result in detriment to wildlife and woodland and, more broadly, to the availability of green spaces in urban areas?

Thank you, Sioned. Being born and raised in Gowerton, I know Kilvey Hill and the area very well indeed, and I've walked up there and been in the neighbouring areas as well, when my sons have been playing rugby close by in the community.

It is important that local people's voices are heard, but from a Welsh Government perspective, which you rightly focus on, it's worth expanding a little bit on what we do in terms of our assessments. It's difficult for me to comment in detail on any individual application, because, clearly, this has to work its way through and Cabinet Secretaries, at some point, may be part of decision making on individual applications in different parts of Wales.

But in terms of the integrated impact assessment, there is a wide range of topics that can be considered with this, such as the local environment and questions about the impact on people's lives who may be affected by changes in the local environment. It looks at it through a number of lenses, including biodversity, natural resources, habitat and climate change, including decarbonisation and climate resilience. It does pose questions about the impact on communities and sustainable land management, and also, even—although not specifically or particularly in terms of Kilvey Hill—it focuses on issues to do with, for example, Welsh language impact assessments, equality impact assessments, children's rights, socioeconomic assessments, and so on. So, it's quite thorough. It does also look at what the impact will be on habitats, and whether that has a local application.

As I say, I can't comment in detail on a specific application, but I thank you for raising it here in the Chamber today, on behalf of local residents, and it is important that their voices are heard as well, on any scheme, not just the Kilvey Hill one, but any one throughout Wales.

Cabinet Secretary, it is not just the projects that the Welsh Government funds directly that we should be concerned about, but also those funded by grants and loans. For example, a registered social landlord in receipt of numerous Welsh Government grants is pressing ahead with plans to destroy a unique habitat, home to many species of rare flora and fauna, to build social housing. In order to mitigate the habitat loss, they propose to provide an alternative plot of land.

'Why don't they use the alternative plot of land for housing?', I hear you ask. Because it's more expensive to build houses there, so the rare species will have to find alternative accommodation instead. How can this be allowed to happen in a nature emergency? Therefore, Cabinet Secretary, will you commit to ensuring that any organisation in receipt of public funding, whether directly or in the form of a grant or loan from a public authority, practices what the Welsh Government preaches, and protects nature and biodiversity at all costs? Thank you.  

Thank you again for that follow-up question. Again, I can't comment in detail on a matter that's local, and I know that you understand that fully. But we would expect them—whether it was a registered social landlord or a local authority, or anybody else, frankly, bringing forward a scheme—to have to go through the full, proper planning process, the full, proper environmental impact assessments, and to engage with the community as well, in proper consultation and dialogue.

But at some point, as always, Llywydd, some of these may inevitably be lifted up to Cabinet Secretaries and the Welsh Government to look at, so I can't comment in detail. But you are right in what you say: the multiple impacts of developments do need to be considered at the pre-consultation stage, during consultation with communities, when applications come through as well, and ultimately, if they are lifted up to us, so that we can do our proper assessment as well, if any of these projects do come forward.

But I am adamant that, in all of these, the voices of local communities have to be heard. Also, we need to make sure that, from my perspective as Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, those issues of biodiversity, the local environment and climate resilience are also taken into account. So, thank you for raising it, again on behalf of local people. You have made sure that their voices are once again heard. 

In my constituency, I have seen how the programmes and projects that the Welsh Government supports can have a really positive impact on nature and on people, as people get more access to nature and green spaces in places where it's harder to find. One brilliant example is the Hirwaun school community growing project, where people of all ages come together to learn about growing their own food. Cabinet Secretary, what do you think of the impact that the Local Places for Nature programme has had on nature and on local communities? 

Vikki, thank you for that question. In looking at some of the difficulties in judging the merits of bringing forward various things, we are clearly doing a tremendous amount through schemes such as Local Places for Nature, and these are particularly impactful, very much on local communities. I have seen them in my own area, and you will have seen them as well. Some of the ones within the Cynon Valley at the moment echo the ones with me.

I have been to see the ones in my own patch, for example, Ogmore Vale fire station, where they've worked with the local community to develop planting around a piece of semi-derelict land. Tremendous. It means that people can go and sit there now and, on raised beds, can take their children, enjoy the flowers, enjoy the scents—a proper multisensory experience as well. And it's the fire station and a piece of formerly derelict land.

In the Cynon Valley, I know that Abercynon fire station has got a starter package doing a similar wildlife initiative. Trivallis has been working on a wildlife garden. Cynon Valley Organic Adventures has got a package of sustainable drainage for nature that it is working on. St Winifred's Church is working on a pollinator garden, and there's so much more. Ysbyty Cwm Cynon is doing a butterfly garden. Aberdare primary school is doing an urban garden. Caradog Primary School is doing a wildlife initiative as well.

There are so many going on, and I would encourage all Members to look to their own community, and how a little bit of funding and a bit of collaborative partnership working on the ground, through the Local Places for Nature scheme, go a long, long way.