Our Growth for Good project has already transformed underused spaces across Bridgend into vibrant community gardens and tiny forests. Thanks to your feedback, we’ve got further funding and more exciting plans in the pipeline, starting with a major woodland regeneration in Blackmill!
Why a woodland?
Growth for Good is our long-term commitment to woodland regeneration, food growing, and community involvement.
According to Woodland Trust, woodland reduces stress, improves mood, and boosts the immune system. A walk in the woods, they say, “has been overwhelmingly proven to help keep your blood pressure down versus an indoor treadmill or busy city streets.”
Trees fight pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide and storing it, keeping it out of the atmosphere. They also absorb rainwater, which helps prevent flooding.
By looking after our woods and green spaces, we’re playing a key role in maintaining safe and happy communities in Bridgend.
The key features
- A restored, accessible public pathway running through the woods
- A nature trail with community seating and QR codes you can scan as you walk to find out about the flora and fauna
- A tree nursery to harvest and preserve local rare oak seeds
- Establish a Friends of Blackmill woods Group
We’ll also be partnering with Bridgend College to analyse local oak varieties and allowing local schools and Flying Start groups educational access to the wood.
The headlines
- The £249,950 project will be funded by The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) scheme.
- It’s being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh Government’s National Forest for Wales Programme.
- The project will start in December 2025 and in two years, we hope to safely reopen the woodland after years of overgrowth and difficult access.
Get involved!
Residents have already played an important role in shaping the project, by sharing childhood memories of the woodland during consultations and expressing their excitement about reconnecting with the space.
Rachel Lovell, Head of Regeneration and Project Lead, said: “This project is about restoring a precious local woodland for generations to come. We’re delighted to be working with the community, partners and local groups to bring Blackmill Woods back to life.”
If you’d like to find out more about getting involved with the project, email Rachel Lovell, Head of Regeneration on rachel.lovell@v2c.org.uk.
