Parc Bryn Bach Becomes an Official Local Nature Reserve

Parc Bryn Bach has become an official Local Nature Reserve, one of five such sites designated by Blaenau Gwent Council across the county borough.

The BGCBC Executive Committee today approved the new sites, recognising that these are important to both people and nature.

The sites are:

• Parc Bryn Bach, Tredegar

• Beaufort Hill Ponds & Woodlands

• Central Valley, Ebbw Vale

• Garden City, Ebbw Vale

• Sirhowy Hill Woodlands, Tredegar

The Council committed in its Corporate Plan to improve the access to and quality of open spaces for the benefit of our communities, businesses and visitors. Through the Blaenau Gwent Well-being Plan it is also committed to looking after and protecting the environment, and encouraging and enabling people to make healthy lifestyle choices in the places that they live, learn, work and play.

By designating and declaring five more Local Nature Reserves the Council is acting in line with the approved Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience Forward Plan (2019-2022), to meet its duty under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and maximise its contributions to the Well-being Goals.

It is also a part of the Council’s commitment to work with partners on mitigating the impact of climate change and encouraging sustainable communities.

Councillor Garth Collier, the Council’s Executive Member for the Environment said:
“I’m delighted that we are able to designate five new sites as Local Nature Reserves.  We have some outstanding areas of natural beauty here in Blaenau Gwent, rich in wildlife, habitats and eco systems, and it is important that we recognise these and look after them for everyone to enjoy.  We will be working closely with a range of partners and some enthusiastic community groups to preserve these important areas for the benefit of our future generations.”