(Title Image: eswales under Creative commons Licence BY-SA-2.0)
Cefn Cribwr’s Bedford Park is set to be officially designated as a Local Nature Reserve (pdf).
Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are a step below National Parks and are managed by local authorities. Some of the five existing LNRs in the county include Kenfig Nature Reserve, Locks Common in Porthcawl and Tremains Wood in Brackla.
LNRs need to have what is described as “natural features of special interest to the local area”.
As the name suggests, Bedford Park – a former ironworks – is already considered parkland and covers 18 hectares. The oak woodlands at the park are considered to be of special interest and it’s also considered to be a good habitat for endangered butterflies.
Additionally, the boundary of Frog Pond Wood Local Nature Reserve is also set to be extended to include Village Farm Meadow in Pyle.
In terms of administration, the decision to designate Bedford Park an LNR and extend Frog Wood Pond reserve would require a management plan to be drafted for Bedford Park, as well as ongoing maintenance costs for both sites – said to be around £15,000 a year.
