A petition has been created to maintain the ecosystem of ivy that is growing on the old Brecon library, as plans for its removal have faced backlash from the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and locals alike.

The building is set to be renovated by the NPTC Group of Colleges as part of their new Brecon campus, with its iconic ivy set to be chopped away.

This has caused much concern locally, with the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority claiming that the landscape is an increasingly important haunt for local wildlife.

Senior Ecologist, Dr Paul Sinnadurai: “The ivy on the former Brecon library is becoming an increasingly important habitat feature for bees, birds and other feeding insects.

“We are aware that the starling murmuration’s are an increasingly popular sight over the Brecon townscape.

“The library is one of very few listed buildings we have in the park and it’s important that it is maintained for the future.

“We believe it is possible that the ivy can be managed in keeping and sympathy with the building’s maintenance.”

Many locals agree with Dr Sinnadurai’s stance, with a petition against the plans to remove the ivy gaining already around 150 signatures over the weekend.

This was prompted by the removal of the beloved Virginia creeper plant from the appropriately named Ivy building in Brecon on Friday.

Matt Joseph grew up in the town and was one of many locals to speak out against the plans.

“To have the whole thing removed is a disgrace when there is wildlife living in there all year round.

“We are a national park town so you’d think that in that position we would support natural ecosystems like this.

“Birds are living in this ivy all year and not just to roost, bees also overwinter in it too.

“I appreciate that the ivy on the old library needs to be tamed extensively, but to remove it completely is an assault on the wildlife and our own pleasure of seeing it alive with birds, especially when the migrating starlings return next year.

“There are people in these big cities that pay thousands of pounds for green walls, we have a natural one right here and they’re taking it down,” said Matt.

The news has also left tourists and regular visitors to the town bemused by the decision.

Olivia Ghattak, a tourist from London, said: “I just think people should count themselves lucky to have such natural beauty on a building - I was certainly in awe of it when I first visited this town - I even joked it would make a great pub.

“I don’t know all the details, I only visit Brecon semi-regularly to see my partner, but I’m sure with regular maintenance to the ivy it could be a really unique building in the town, with a tremendous aesthetic.”

If you wish to sign the petition to save the ecosystem on the old Brecon library, visit: www.change.org/p/save-the-ecosystem-on-the-old-brecon-library

NPTC Group of Colleges has been approached for comment.