Lotto cash sought for historic landscape

9:34pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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A PROJECT to preserve one of Gwent's historic landscapes is making made a multi-million pound bid for lottery cash.

Blaenavon's Forgotten Landscapes has applied for £2.7 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The cash would fund conservation projects which include heather restoration, red grouse recovery and bracken control.

Work will also be carried out to make the commons viable for farming - it is hoped the return of Welsh mountain ponies and cattle will help control bracken.

In addition the partnership plans to spend the money on activities to encourage young people to get involved in the future of the area.

They include wild food foraging, mountain biking safaris, nature rambles, recreating stone age housing, plays and art competitions.

Adults will also be offered a range of guided walks and courses.

Learning opportunities will also be on offer, giving people the chance to learn skills in heritage management to help boost their job prospects.

Industrial features, including the Pwll Ddu tunnel and the ponds above Garn yr Erw will be restored, while pedestrian access will be improved with short walks and leaflets due to be published.

The partnership will also look using renewable energy.

A micro turbine would be installed at one of the ponds, and is expected to generate £20,000 worth of electricity a year.

Fund officers will make their decision about the grant in October.