The clock is ticking on a consultation to save four walnut trees on a former school site in Talgarth.

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA) is holding a consultation which is looking to confirm a Tree Preservation Order on the walnut trees which are on the former Talgarth Community Primary School site on School Lane which also features a cluster of silver birch trees.

The BBNPA had made a temporary order in August to protect the trees - which can be seen on the approach to St Gwendoline’s Church - when Talgarth residents became aware of the the threat to the trees which is linked to a Powys County Council housing development proposal.

Resident and environmental campaigner Sarah Griffiths said: “It’s appalling to think that at a time of global climate crisis, the preservation of trees - particularly those which hold such significance to our community - is not at the forefront of planning.

“Considering the principles embodied by the Future Generations Act here in Wales, and Powys’ Wellbeing Plan, it seems like utter laziness to disregard the importance of preserving these well-established, important trees. I urge everyone to have their say, whilst there is still time.”

The deadline for responses to the BBNPA consultation is this Friday, October 15 - all responses should be emailed to [email protected] or posted to the BBNPA Headquarters which are Plas y Ffynnon, Cambrian Way, Brecon, LD3 7HP.

Commenting on the consultation, the Powys County Councillor for Talgarth, William Powell, said he is “optimistic” that the trees can be retained while also achieving a “high quality council housing development”.

Welsh Liberal Democrat, Cllr Powell, who is pictured above with the group trying to save the trees, said: “I understand that there has been a very significant response to the consultation, with support for the TPO’s confirmation from Talgarth Town Council, local residents and concerned commentators from further afield. Even Professor Mary Gagen of Swansea University’s School of Geography, and an authority on urban trees, has expressed support.

“I am optimistic that, with an imaginative approach to the site, and a readiness to reconfigure the layout of the site with sensitivity, a much needed, high quality Council Housing development can be achieved, whilst retaining these trees, and also safeguarding the adjacent Yew tree, within the Talgarth Conservation Area.”

Powys County Council said the proposed scheme is for an area which has a "significant demand" for social housing.

It is looking to submit the application to the national park authority by the end of this month.

A Powys council spokesman said: "The proposed scheme comprises of a development of 25 units, including four bed houses, two bed houses, two bed bungalows and one bed flats for an area that has significant demand for social housing.

"The council has carried out for pre-application consultation and is hoping to submit the planning application to BBNP Planning authority by the end of October. The plans have been redesigned to reflect comments received as part of the pre-application consultation process."