Fight to save nature reserve

The trust has owned and managed the reserve for 40 years

A wildlife trust is fighting plans to extend a quarry next to an unique nature reserve on Anglesey which they claim could be under threat of destruction.

The Cors Goch wetlands national nature reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to rare orchids, plants and many different protected species like water voles, adders and great-crested newts.

The reserve's owner, the North Wales Wildlife Trust, is opposing the planning application to extend a quarry at Rhuddlan Bach, Brynteg, up to the reserve's boundary.

The trust says it fears that a deep excavation so close to the reserve could disrupt the water table, causing water to drain away from parts of the reserve.

Conservation officer Chris Wynne, said the proposals "could lead to the destruction of the reserve."

"The site is a fantastic example of wetlands and one of the most important in the whole of Wales and its value to wildlife has been acknowledged by experts across Europe and in other parts of the world," he said.

"The development could certainly disrupt it over a period of time, not overnight but with a gradual decline in the quality of the habitat."

The rare narrow leaved marsh orchid grows in the reserve

The trust has already collected 60 signatures in a petition against the application and is urging supporters to write to the Anglesey Council to voice their opposition.

A council spokesperson said: "A planning application has been lodged and is expected to come before the planning committee some time in the New Year.

"This is a major application involving complex issues and numerous agencies have been consulted so that the council may proceed to fully assess the impacts of the proposal prior to reporting to committee.

They were still awaiting some of those responses, he said