A new community garden has been unveiled in Llantwit Major.

Persimmon Homes has announced the opening of the Bee Hapus Community Garden at its Heritage Gate development.

The garden will be maintained by residents and is designed to be a home for bees and other wildlife.

It features a spiral path, seating area, and a solitary bee totem, all made from sustainable materials.

Lee Hawker, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Wales, said: "We are delighted to have opened the Bee Hapus Community Garden at our Heritage Gate development in Llantwit Major.

"This garden symbolises our commitment to fostering strong community connections and promoting environmental sustainability within our developments."

The garden's opening ceremony was attended by local residents, Llantwit Major Councillor Gwyn John, and poet Rae Howells, who read from her collection, The Language of Bees.

Lead artist gardener Emma Geliot from Penarth, said: "This has been a joyous project to work on.

"The community have been so supportive – especially when the going was tough, due to challenging weather – making positive comments and offering plants to add to the garden.

"It has been especially wonderful to see the first bees appear and to have first-hand experience of the local residents enjoying the garden, as new plants come into flower and new wildlife appears.

"I am sure that the garden will bring pleasure to them for many years to come."

Studio Response's Emma Price added: "We are all familiar with honeybees, however there are hundreds of native bee species that are also important pollinators.

"The aim of the Bee Hapus community garden is to put out a welcome mat for bees and other beneficial insects.

"It is incredible what can be done on a small plot of land for the benefit and well-being of wildlife and residents."