Elan Valley Trust has been awarded a grant of £67,000 from the Welsh Government Tourism Amenity Investment Support grant for further infrastructural developments which will support the development of the valley as a dark sky tourism destination.

In 2015 the Elan Valley was designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association and in so doing became the first privately owned but publicly accessible park in the world.

This status now means that the entire 45,000 acres of the Elan Valley are protected against light pollution for the benefit of those who live and work there, in addition to the many visitors each year.

The status also provides sanctuary for the abundance of wildlife and nature which can be found by day or night here on the estate.

Charlotte Harley, assistant land agent for Elan Valley Trust, said: “The grant will enable us to develop the Elan Valley dark sky offering, enabling people with more opportunities to view and learn about the dark skies which are so spectacular here at the Elan Valley.”

The grant will fund three main elements; the purchase of a mobile planetarium which will include information the estate designations and others in Wales, details about the Elan Valley’s night skies, where to observe and basic information about stargazing and astronomy.

Secondly, stargazing equipment including binoculars, eye pieces and telescopes, and thirdly the construction of an exciting bespoke shelter at the Elan Valley where observers will be able to view the stars and southern sky-scape.

It would also allow the observer a time of restorative peace and tranquillity under the stars, something the Elan Valley Estate is very proud to have in abundance.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition on Wednesday