A COMMUNITY group has been formed to improve Clyne Valley Country Park and make woodland trails more accessible.

The Blackpill, Derwen Fawr and Mayals Residents' Association held a meeting to launch the project which aims to make better use of the park.

Around 50 residents turned up to the Vivian Hall, in Blackpill, to register their interest and volunteer to help out with the scheme.

Gay Mitchell, who chaired the meeting, said: "The purpose is to encourage, promote and provide opportunities for the community."

The association said it planned to form the project using £1,000 of its funds, donated by the community to fight plans to build an Asda on the Emmanuel playing fields in Blackpill.

The company withdrew its application after residents rallied together to oppose the scheme.

Sian Seabrook, project funding officer at Swansea Council, said she hoped to work with the group to find funding.

She said: "We can apply for heritage funding which has a maximum grant of £50,000.

"Clyne Valley Country Park has 22 sites scheduled as ancient monuments. It is a large project and we will have to do this chunk by chunk, and will need a lot of community support.

"Seventy-five per cent is themed towards industrial heritage and 25 per cent on the biodiversity of the woodlands."

A public consultation is organised for the beginning of February to allow members of the public to have their say on what they want to see in the park.

Some of the suggestions for the park include woodland trails, rope swings and climbing possibilities, an assault course, picnic areas, a bird hide, an improved mountain bike track and virtual tours of the park. There are also employment opportunities and vocational qualifications.

The Clyne Valley Country Park links Blackpill to Gowerton, and treasurer Lyn Holt said the aim was to involve residents from Gowerton, Dunvant, Killay and Sketty as well as Blackpill, Derwen Fawr and Mayals. He said: "Community is the key. We are talking about 304 hectares of development as well as other spin- offs. The potential for the next 20 to 30 years is incredible."

There were some concerns raised about damaging the natural habitat of the park at the meeting.

One woman said: "I am worried about the diggers coming in. "

Another man said he was concerned it could possibly have an effect on the bird species.

But residents were reassured all work would be carefully done not to disturb the natural habitat.

The group will work with Swansea Council.

Secretary Kate Craven said: "Clyne Valley is a potentially magnificent leisure resource on our doorstep."

laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk