Denbighshire County Council’s Planning Committee has agreed planning permission for the creation of a 40-acre area nature reserve at Green Gates, Cwttir Lane, St Asaph.

This development is part of a number of phases of work at the land which is planned to eventually grow into a 70-acre nature reserve.

The Council declared a Climate Change and Ecological Emergency in July 2019 and the St Asaph nature reserve development is part of the response to protect and restore local nature habitats to contribute to our nature recovery goal. The increased hedgerow and tree cover will also contribute to our net carbon zero goal by increasing carbon absorption.

Plans have already been agreed for the development of a 30-acre nature reserve section at the site. The overall area also includes the Council’s established local provenance tree nursery which aims to produce around 5,000 trees and 5,000 wildflowers a year to help boost local nature habitats.

The planning committee agreed to the demolition of existing buildings and the change of use of the 40 acres of land from agricultural land to a new nature reserve.

Habitat creation on this area will see the restoration of existing ponds, the creation of new ponds, the creation of a wetland area adjacent to two small watercourses and creation of woodland and grassland habitat areas.

Waste materials from the demolished buildings will be used to create a new brownfield site, which is a Priority Habitat and will help to support a variety of rare and important wildlife – such as insects and wildflowers. The site has also been identified by Natural Resources Wales as a potential Site of Special Scientific Interest for great crested newts.

Work will also see the construction of a permissive pathway and engineering works to create a raised viewing area together with associated works.

Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said, “This is an important piece in the development of a 70-acre nature reserve that will become a strong asset for the county in supporting our local wildlife, plants and trees, as well for community wellbeing, education and leisure.

“We’ve already seen the positive impact the tree nursery, located on this site, is having in protecting and supporting local nature and recovery.

“This development of the land around the nursery will restore habitats supporting rare and important wildlife. The replacement of species poor grassland to species rich grasslands, wetlands, woodland and scrub habitats is an essential step to meeting our continuing goal to increase biodiversity and improve carbon sequestration.”

This work is funded by Welsh Government through the Local Places for Nature grant as part of the Council’s work with the Local Nature Partnership. Additional funding has also been provided from Denbighshire’s Climate and Nature Recovery Programme.