Campaign to save castle fields

Caergwrle castle could be surrounded by houses

People living near a 13th Century castle in north Wales are trying to raise £500,000 to buy the area around the site in an attempt to save it from developers.

More than 98% of residents within the Parish of Hope in Flintshire have given their support to purchase the land.

Vision for the field

Conserving the natural environment

A community park

A landscape for learning

Hold historical festival

Have heritage trails

The owners of the 10.5 acre site next to Caergwrle castle want to sell the fields and develop a housing estate in the grounds.

However local people want the area to be made into a nature reserve and park.

They are hoping to raise £20,000 through fundraising with the remainder procured through heritage lottery grants.

In an attempt to help the community raise the money, the landowners have agreed not to enter into negotiations with any other party until the new year.

We want to buy it to keep it as a natural part of the scenery

Alan McDonald resident

The site has been on the market for more than 18 months but locals hope they can raise enough money to secure the land by the end of the year.

Campaigner Alan McDonald said that if bought, the open land will be used by the local community.

"We want to buy it to keep it as a natural part of the scenery.

"We will use the land as a nature reserve and a community park and the long term plans are to conserve the natural environment."

Mr McDonald said the facility could prove educational: "We would like to provide a learning centre on the fields where local schools can go to and carry out field trips."

Caergwrle District Heritage and Conservation Society are working with the environmental and regeneration trust Groundwork, to ensure the project goes ahead.

Mr McDonald said they hope to know soon if they will receive the grants.

"The applications are in with the major funding bodies and we're waiting to see if we get the money."