Therefore, we move to item 11, which is the short debate, and I call on John Griffiths to speak on the topic he's chosen. John.

Diolch, Diprwy Lywydd. I'm grateful for the opportunity today to celebrate the unique and historic Gwent levels. It is one of the largest areas of coastal and floodplain grazing in the UK, made up of a rich patchwork of different habitats and landscape running along the Severn estuary coastline, from Cardiff and Newport, past the second Severn crossing and beyond. A considerable area of the levels falls within the boundaries of Newport East—sites of special scientific interest and an area of natural beauty with greatly significant environmental, social, cultural and economic value for the south-east region and Wales as a whole.

This land and sea has been utilised by human kind at least since the Mesolithic era. Prehistoric Ice and Bronze Age footprints and artefacts surviving in the Severn estuary mud are still revealing clues about how this landscape has been used with the coming of every new tide. Indeed, the seascape is full of geological clues to its past and the era before human exploitation. The red cliffs rising out of the salt marshes at Black Rock are rich with the fossils of the plesiosaur and insects from when the area was transformed from a hot, arid desert to a warm tropical sea, approximately 200 million years ago.

Archaeologically, the intertidal mudflats have revealed the remains of Bronze Age settlement sites as evidenced by human footprints, lithic finds, butchered animal bone, brushwood trackways and round houses. Iron Age finds have been discovered at Goldcliff, with rectangular timber buildings, trackways, and fish traps on a shelf of fen peat.

Evidence of the area's maritime significance has also been uncovered. Archaeologists discovered fragments of a Bronze Age boat near Caldicot castle, dating from around 1,800 years BC, and the remains of fourth century Romano-Celtic Barland's Farm boat was discovered near Magor, remarkably intact and sharing some features with boats from south west Brittany, described by Julius Caesar in 56 BC.

These important finds, to name just a few, emphasise the noteworthy state of preservation of archaeological material in and around the levels. Historical accounts reveal the many human stories of the hard and physical struggle necessary to maintain this unique landscape over many centuries. Much of it was hand drained, using basic tools until as late as the 1960s. The character of local communities reflects the ancient connection between people and the Severn estuary. It's importance for maritime trade blossomed from the medieval period onwards, and particularly following the industrial revolution that transformed Cardiff into one of the biggest coal ports in the world. Communities at Goldcliff, Redwick, Rumney and Peterstone were serviced by the small, traditional landing places for cross-channel trades. Many locals will recall the skeletal traditional tidal baskets used for catching salmon. Remains of the supporting structure are still visible onshore at low tide. Today, the Black Rock fishermen are the last to use lave nets in Wales. The tradition has been passed down through the generations and now the fishermen are actively promoting the heritage of the fishery as a tourist attraction in their aim to keep the history and practice alive for future generations to enjoy. The area is truly a landscape handcrafted by the communities that have lived there since its reclamation from the estuary that started in Roman times, and these stories of people's connections with their environment should be celebrated.

The relationship between this low-lying area and the sea has not been without tragedy. The element of tension and jeopardy is demonstrated most starkly by the catastrophic flood of 1607. A tidal surge—some think tsunami—put large areas underwater on both sides of the Bristol Channel. It is estimated that 2,000 or more people were drowned, houses and villages swept away, an estimated 200 square miles of farmland inundated, and livestock destroyed, wrecking local economies. The coast of Devon and the Somerset levels as far inland as Glastonbury Tor, 14 miles from the coast, were said to have been affected. This disaster and numerous subsequent floods highlight the continued imperative for close and careful management of flood defences, water levels and the drainage system, but also serve as a reminder of why our local stories should never be forgotten. A visit to St Mary Magdalene's Church in Goldcliff or St Mary's Church in Nash will show plaques and wall markings recording the flood event and water heights.

And, of course, Dirprwy Lywydd, it isn't only the levels' historic value that should be celebrated. Its ecology is hugely significant, sustaining a great variety of wildlife. The ditches and reens provide a myriad of opportunities for different species, from the world's smallest flowering vascular plant and the king diving beetle to top predators like the grass snake, little egret and otter. A number of European and UK protected species have been confirmed to be present, including dormice, grass snake, some bat species, great crested newt and water vole. The charismatic water vole—a personal favourite of mine, as I am the Wildlife Trust water vole species champion—had become locally extinct, but are now numbered in the hundreds and increasing, thanks to a re-introduction and mink control programme managed by Gwent Wildlife Trust.

The RSPB reserve and visitor centre, created as habitat compensation for the loss involved in the Cardiff Bay barrage development, is a bird lover's paradise. It is the only place in Wales to see the magnificent cranes breeding for the first time in 400 years, and is also home to other Welsh rarities such as bearded tits, bitterns and harriers. The specific conditions created by the distinct water level and vegetation management regimes contribute to this rich environment. There are eight wetland sites of special scientific interest that are home to rare and vulnerable birds and diverse species with complex habitats.

It has the second largest tidal range in the world, with 15m recorded between the extreme high and low tides. It's a remarkable area with great value for Wales, its residents, local populations and potential visitors, especially those from nearby urban areas. It really does have a great deal to offer, but its story and landscape is subtle and, more often than not, undersold.

Given the environmental, social, cultural and economic value, it is heartening to see work under way to better recognise and celebrate this importance. Our planet, climate, environment, biodiversity and wildlife are under threat and imperilled, and, sadly, people have never been further away from the natural world in their daily lives as we are today. A strong human dimension is needed to create a greater sense of understanding and appreciation of these wetlands and this is where the Living Levels project, currently under way, has stepped to the fore. Their landscape partnership has come together to deliver a programme of work that will promote and reconnect people to the history, wildlife and wild beauty. It is worth some £4 million and heritage lottery funded, and led by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The aim is to conserve and restore the important natural heritage features of the area, to develop a far stronger appreciation of the value of the landscape, and to inspire people to learn about and participate in its heritage. It involves the reintroduction of apple orchards, connecting with local schools, collaborations with Newport City Council to combat fly-tipping, and the popularity of cafes and eateries at Goldcliff and the RSPB wetlands centre. There is now a fresh opportunity for sustainable development and utilising the wonder of the levels.

We must, Dirprwy Lywydd, encourage more people to visit and enjoy what this special area has to offer. Walking, cycling, exploring and experiencing will enable a better understanding of why it should be cared for and preserved. It is an oasis of peace, tranquillity and calm, aiding well-being and health. Thankfully, the RSPB centre and the Gwent Wildlife Trust’s Magor marsh nature reserve welcome thousands of visitors every week, including very many school children undertaking activities and enjoying learning about nature.

Of course, these are challenging times, and the landscape faces dangers as well as offering opportunities. The proposed M4 relief road route across the levels is a major threat and would cause significant and long-lasting damage were it to go ahead. Whereas the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 together create an enabling framework for managing Wales’s natural resources more sustainably, collaboratively and at scale.

Major investment through the Wales coast path and national cycle network routes have raised the potential of the area to serve an increasing number of leisure-seeking residents and visitors from the city region and further afield. Greater appreciation and investment is imperative to ensure that the area, its wildlife, its history and the people it is inherently connected to are sustained for Wales and future generations. The landscape is iconic but fragile, and we must work together to build a more resilient future. Understanding the heritage, history and biodiversity of our communities will ensure we all take a sense of ownership over their conservation.

So, I’d like to encourage everyone to pay a visit to this very special place in south-east Wales. Whether it is seeing the wonder of a starling murmuration at Newport wetlands, observing the water voles at Magor marsh, taking part in one of the many interesting workshops run by the Living Levels project, or walking the full length of the sea wall at Goldcliff on the hunt for a prehistoric find, the best way to learn about this unique and wonderful part of Wales is to come along and enjoy it, and, in doing so, learn why the levels deserve to be protected and sustained for today and future generations.

Diolch yn fawr.

Diolch. Can I now call on the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport  and Tourism to reply to the debate?

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. 

May I say one thing about this process, because this is the first time I’ve had the privilege of responding to a short debate and, indeed, to participate in a short debate? When we were putting in place the Standing Orders of this place, many years ago, we did believe that the short debate was a very important thing, because it isn’t a debate, in essence, but an opportunity for a Member or Members to contribute on an issue that is of interest to them, which they feel should be aired publicly. And I can’t think of a better example, John, than using the short debate for the purpose that you’ve put for it this afternoon.

It’s important that we’re reminded, I think, that the landscape of Wales—and the landscape of everywhere in the world, but the landscape that we are legally responsible for in this place is what we're talking about this afternoon—the landscape of Wales is both notable and unique. The other element pertinent here is that when changes are made to landscapes for whatever reasons—and John has mentioned, and I will mention some historic events over a period of time and certain issues related to climate—but any change of that kind is often irreversible. It is incontrovertible. You cannot turn the clock back. That is the nature of creation and the nature of the world we live in.

This diversity of landscape does contribute to the quality of life, our quality of life, in a way that is immeasurable, if truth be told. As we have heard very clearly expressed by John in his introduction, there are thousands of years of the impact of the human race and people on this particular landscape. This landscape is notable in being a landscape that is very artificial, in one sense, because of human intervention, although some of that has been affected by nature and the weather, of course, and that gives it great historic significance and significance in terms of leisure, amenity and enjoyment.

It’s also important to bear in mind that the landscape is always a living landscape. It is not something that is set in stone at some point in the past; the landscape continues to develop. What’s struck me every time I walk the Gwent levels is that you have huge industrial buildings on the one hand and the scale of the Severn estuary—or Môr Hafren as we call it in Welsh—the huge scale of nature alongside the huge scale of man-made buildings. Having something as intensive in terms of its natural amenity in an industrial area is something very special to Wales and to visitors to Wales, because it does show how we can safeguard and maintain a notable, natural landscape despite seeing developments of all sorts happening on that landscape and impacting our environment.

John has talked a great deal about the historic circumstances, and these are of huge interest. I wouldn’t be the Minister representing Cadw in this place if I weren’t to mention the exciting archaeological finds that John himself referred to—the mesolithic fragments that are 8,000 years old, the Bronze Age ship that we heard about, the buildings and paths from the Iron Age, and everything that has survived from Roman and medieval times. I don’t think there is any other environment in Wales where you can read Welsh history from your surroundings just by looking around. You don't need a guidebook—you can have a guidebook, of course, or you could just take John's speech with you and my brief response as some guide for you as to what's around you—history speaks for itself in this particular environment.

One could argue that the Romans are chiefly responsible for this crucial structure, as I understand things at least, because of the land reclaimed from the seas with fields, some of which are used to this day. And every time the sea would flood the area then there was an attempt to recolonise that area, and we've heard about much of this already, and that certainly happened in the eleventh century. For me, it's hugely interesting in terms of the legal and conservation efforts to protect this area. I was very interested in the Monmouthshire court of sewers, for example, which dealt with the network of ditches and reens to ensure they were safeguarded. And despite the great flood that John referred to at the beginning of the sixteenth century, the area continued to be restored and the complex pattern of ditches and reens that exists there. I was familiar with this kind of thing in certain areas of Cardigan bay, such as the Dysynni valley, but there is nothing like that which is akin to the ditches and reens and trenches and the complex systems that sit alongside each other.

So, I would like to summarise by thanking everyone who has cared for this landscape and safeguarded it, and particularly the Living Levels Parternship. This programme reconnects people with the Gwent levels and is of assistance in providing a sustainable future for the area. I would particularly like to note the particular contribution of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds—I certainly should declare an interest as a member for many years of the RSPB. I'm very fond of the way in which the RSPB works in partnership, working closely with local communities. And the centre that they have on the Gwent levels compares very favourably indeed, in my view, with the centre on the banks of the River Conwy. The work that's done by the RSPB does highlight and draw attention to all sorts of wildlife, and I do have to take the opportunity to use the Welsh word for 'water vole': llygoden bengron y dŵr. That is one of the finest descriptions—you have the round head and the ears, and that's everything that one sees of this water vole when they do appear from the marshland and on river banks. The work done to safeguard and conserve these rare creatures is a crucial part of protecting the environment.

John referred briefly to some of the threats that can face an area such as this, as they face many other areas of conservation. It is clear that we must take great consideration of the environmental issues if we consider intervening in any way on this notable landscape. John will be entirely aware that the First Minister has received the report, which is almost 550 pages long, on the M4 project, and this will be given thorough consideration—I can say that on behalf of the First Minister. And the environmental issues will be taken fully into account, and certainly, that is a commitment that deserves to be restated.

But the living levels landscape project and the programme that they have on the Gwent levels is an excellent example of how collaboration is possible in order to safeguard the notable heritage of Wales. I would, finally, like to thank John for his own contribution in leading and developing the policy, which became the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016. This has put Wales in the vanguard in terms of safeguarding heritage in the UK and beyond, and I am very grateful to John for his contribution, and to repeat his call that we all visit the Gwent levels to search for the water vole. Thank you very much.

Diolch. That brings today's proceedings to a close. Thank you.

The meeting ended at 17:56.