A COUNTRY park will see a huge number of trees planted thanks to Network Rail funding.

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park will see 1,350 trees planted, with funding from Network Rail’s The Greater West Programme.

The planting will see a two-hectare extension to the southern edge of Cogan Wood, and include a mixed selection of fruit trees.

The majority of the planting will be carried out by a contractor, with some trees also being planted by the Cosmeston Wildlife Group and volunteers.

The volunteers, alongside the Vale council’s Ranger Service, will help maintain the extension.

Cllr Jonathan Bird, cabinet member for regeneration and planning for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “The funding received from Network Rail will greatly benefit the biodiversity at Cosmeston Lakes Park.

“The planting of trees has many social, environmental, and health and well-being benefits and should provide an added feature to the Country Park that already attracts over 250,000 visitors per year.”

Network Rail’s The Greater West Programme is a scheme to support habitat planting and enhancement on third party land.

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park covers more than 100 hectares of land and water, with some areas designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest to protect the diverse plant and animal species.

Emma Douglas, of Cosmeston Wildlife Group said: “The planting will be a great benefit to the country park, increasing the species, diversity, structure and connectivity of the woodland.

The planting of 100 mixed fruit trees will also provide food for wildlife and blossom for pollinators. The group look forward to watching the woodlands develop and will carry out our first survey later in the year.”