Peter Davies, Wales Commissioner for Sustainable Futures, recently visited a community led willow and woodland project on land leased from Valero at Pembroke Refinery.

Pembroke 21C Community Interest Company's willow and woodland creation project is on 6.5 hectares of land at Hentland Farm.

The willow is being grown on short rotation for use live to stabilise river banks and alleviate flooding.

A buffer zone of 3,000 broad leaf trees has been planted to protect the crop with funding from the Forestry Commission's Glastir Woodland Creation scheme.

The willow is in its second year of growth and a large proportion of this year's crop is being sold to Salix Rivers and Wetland Services for projects in England. The willow that is not sold this year will be transplanted to increase the growing area.

Since the project was first started, it has not only raised, but has also been used in a programme to train local people in conservation to gain skills and qualifications to fit them for employment and involved large numbers of local volunteers, especially groups from Valero who helped to plant the trees.

A Valero spokesperson commented: "This project demonstrates what can be achieved when large enterprises and local groups work together responsibly and sustainably for the benefit of our communities. Valero has been delighted by the results of the willow project, and the contribution of our volunteers has been a great experience for all involved.

"This is a really innovative development with a lot of potential to create real sustainable benefits for the future of both the local community and the environment," added Peter Davies.

The project is registered with Environment Wales and supported by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park's Sustainable Development Fund.