A LOCAL conservation group is calling on residents to help them create a wildlife haven in a Barry housing development.

The Whitefarm Conservation Group will hold its AGM at 118, Merthyr Dyfan Road, at 11am on Sunday, October 5.

Councillors, Rob and Claire Curtis, will serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at their home before a litter pick of the local park.

All are invited to attend.

The group has been creating a living memorial to the service men and women who never returned from the First World war at the entrance to Barry along Port Road East.

Around 430 tree saplings have been planted with a further 270 to reach the target number of 700 - representing the men and women who never returned from the conflict.

The hedgerow is intended to act as a traffic buffer to local residents and protect against flash flood events.

Chairman and co-ordinator, Cllr Rob Curtis said: “Thanks must go to the people who have donated money and to the planting volunteers and the Woodland Trust for supplying the saplings and “Keep Wales Tidy” for supplying us with public liability insurance.”

He said the group’s main aim was to protect the biodiversity and history of the newly created Merthyr Dyfan Lane/Whitewell Road open space by planting trees and shrubs, erecting nest boxes, litter picking, encouraging wild flowers and educating local residents of both the history of the St Teilo and St Dyfan ancient church and the biodiversity that can be attracted to the park.

He said: “This area of the old Whitefarm was set aside as mitigation to protect the remaining biodiversity due to the new housing being built on the rest of Whitefarm. It was created to allow native wildlife to have a home. In years to come this will benefit both biodiversity and local residents. I would urge local people to take pride in this newly formed park by reporting any vandalism and flytippers to the police on 101.

“The park is one of the largest to be created in Barry in recent years but has yet to be handed over to the Vale of Glamorgan Council so we are working with Persimmon to resolve any teething problems until it is.

"We now need local people to come forward as volunteers to help build and protect this wonderful facility. Everyone is welcome to attend the AGM but please bring suitable footwear for the litter pick after the meeting.”

Vice Chairman of WFCG, Cllr Anthony Powell, added: “I look forward to this biodiversity park maturing into a wonderful green lung where local children are able to explore and discover the wonders of nature. But we also need to be vigilant to ensure this beautiful circular walk does not become a dumping ground for fly tippers.”