Thousands sign up to protect nature reserve
Local Democracy Reporter A PETITION launched to raise awareness of a “threatened” national nature reserve in Bridgend has attracted more than 2,200 signatures.
For the last few decades the Kenfig National Nature Reserve, near Porthcawl, has been run by local government.
But on December 31 Bridgend council’s lease ends for the site and as yet there is no news from the reserve’s owners – the Kenfig Corporation Trust – on which organisation will be taking responsibility for the reserve.
Earlier this month the trust released a statement saying it was “working hard to look into options”, adding discussions were ongoing.
It said: “All trustees have fought hard for the long-term guarantee of this beautiful common land and have the interest of the community at its forefront.
“We have not been able to give any information out while discussions with the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have been taking place.
“We have been forced to make a statement due to unrest in the community but it must be understood with decisions not confirmed and, with negotiations still under way, a decision will hopefully be announced soon.
“With respect to the general public all trustees have the best interest of the nature reserve and fought hard in talks with the NRW to convince them of obtaining this land for the future of our younger generation to enjoy as we did.”
The statement went on to say that the council’s decision to “withdraw resources” from the nature reserve was made at “an extremely difficult time to find someone to take over that responsibility”.
The local authority said it first began the process of trying to appoint a successor nine years ago but after several years of not making any progress with the landowner it stopped.
It has previously said it cannot afford to continue to run the 1,300-acre reserve and hoped a more specialised organisation would take over on a more commercial basis and make it pay for itself in a sustainable way.
Heather Protheroe, who lives near the reserve and set up the petition and a Facebook group, said there was a growing lack of confidence in the trustees’ abilities to resolve the situation.
She said: “The petition was set up because all other avenues had failed.
“I tried communication direct with the trust, they stopped responding to me.
“I’ve gone through our local community council and council, I’ve contacted our MP and Assembly Member, and none of them have been successful in obtaining any further information or reassurance from the Trust that they are any closer to a resolution to this situation.
“The Trust had said it hoped potential terms could be agreed with an interested party by the end of August – this did not happen.
“They had three vacancies which they have filled but no advertisement went out for these posts.
“Kenfig National Nature Reserve is a jewel in the Welsh environmental and historical crown and it’s distressing to consider that this rare gem is about to be neglected, open to fly-tipping and abuse.
“It is imperative that a suitable management structure is put in place now before it’s too late.”
Local people have contacted the Charity Commission about their concerns.
The trust is a registered charity and also owns the 215-acre Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club and the nearby Prince of Wales pub.
The reserve has one of the finest examples of a sand dune habitat in Europe and is home to many rare species of plants, insects, birds and animals.
It is one of only two sites in the UK to be home to the rare fen orchid and includes the clear waters of Kenfig Pool which, at 70 acres, is the largest natural lake in South Wales.
A Charity Commission spokeswoman said the commission had contacted the trust and provided them with guidance around governance and decisionmaking.
She said: “As regulator we want to see all charities thrive and inspire trust.”
Richard Jones, environment team leader for NRW, said discussions were ongoing.
He said: “The Kenfig National Nature Reserve is an incredibly important coastal habitat with many special plants, birds and insects that depend on this type of environment. The dunes are designated as a site of special scientific interest and special area of conservation.
“Protecting and enhancing these sites is the cornerstone of our conservation work.”
■ To view the petition, visit www. change.org/p/kenfig-corporationtrust-protect-kenfig-national-naturereserve-before-it-s-too-late