A nature reserve with “stunning views” over Aberystwyth will have extra land protected if talks with Natural Resources Wales go to plan.

Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet approved a proposal to seek permission to consult with NRW over the designation of additional land as part of the popular 11-hectare Penglais Local Nature Reserve, established in the mid 1990s.

Local member Cllr Mark Strong said he supported the extension “100 per cent” with footpaths going through the new area giving people access to “appreciate the excellent views”.

A decision to include the land owned by the council between the old quarry site and Bryn y Môr Road was taken in 2015 as well as exploring the option of designating more land as a nature reserve.

Cllr Strong added that visitors he had taken to the reserve called it “one of the most beautiful sites they had seen since being in Wales” and he hoped further land could be added in future.

The reserve is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who have maintained the area and footpaths, improved access, monitored and encouraged wildlife, and accessed funding over many years, Cabinet was told.

Cabinet member for Cllr Alun Williams, who is also a member of the Parc Natur Penglais Support Group, told the meeting that around 34,000 people visited the park a year.

He added: “The Parc Natur Penglais Support Group is delighted that the council has agreed to move ahead with the process of having the new extension to the Parc declared a Local Nature Reserve under the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

"This brings the extension into line with the rest of the Parc which was declared an LNR in 1995."

See this week’s Aberystwyth paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now