CONSERVATION plans for the largest derelict industrial estate in south east Wales have been revealed by the Gwent Wildlife Trust (GWT).

Representatives outlined their vision at a public meeting in Talywain to help preserve the ecology of the sprawling grounds of The British.

Plans include involving residents, schoolchildren and young people to help maintain and survey the 1,300-acre site while offering the chance to learn new skills.

Veronika Brannovic, GWT’s Living Valleys manager, said: “What we are trying to do is connect people to wildlife and the landscape.

“The site has a lot of potential, and it is very diverse with habitats and species.

“There isn’t massive changes to surveys that were done 20 years ago, but there’s still lots more to do.”

The meeting heard that the disused colliery and ironworks was home to numerous rare species – including European protected species.

GWT surveyors had recorded 158 species of plants over the summer months earlier this year.

Volunteers had also uncovered several Invasive Non-native Species (INNS) such as knotweed, Japanese Rose and wall cotoneaster.

Parts of The British are also covered in bracken, the clearing of which forms part of the proposed management of the open space as a “living landscape”.

Ms Brannovic said the trust would give youngsters from “low skill” areas such as the Valleys the chance to benefit from accredited training for various skills.

Guided walks, arts and craft workshops, school visits and wildlife surveys are all ideas that were pitched by GWT – but the charity stressed that their plans are subject to “what locals want”.

GWT are working in partnership with Torfaen council, which purchased the British from HSBC as part of a £3.7 million package with support from the Welsh Government.

The charity’s projects are one of several that are being considered by the local authority in its overall plan to restore the site for public use.