A SOUTH Wales charity has urged the public to support its "one big opportunity" to restore a faded country estate north of Swansea.

The Penllergare Trust is displaying its plans on Friday, March 26, as it prepares a detailed bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, and hopes people will go along to find out more.

For years, the trust's dedicated volunteers have been sprucing up the overgrown Penllergare Valley Woods.

The house of the estate no longer exists.

It was designed and built by 19th Century horticulturist and photographer John Dillwyn Llewelyn, who also built what is Wales's oldest standing observatory at the estate in 1851.

Now, the trust is seeking significant heritage lottery support for its £3million-plus plans to bring new life to the upper lake and walled gardens, including planting, repairing walls and restoring the orchid house and observatory.

A new hydro-power generating plant is proposed by the River Llan waterfall, plus a new woodland car park and information kiosk.

Asked how important the plans were, secretary Michael Norman said: "They are critical. It's our one big opportunity to secure funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the estate and landscape."

The trust will submit its plans later in the year, and expects an answer by Christmas.

The public can stroll around the wooded Grade Two-listed park and gardens, near Penllergaer, on a number of trails.

Jennifer Stewart, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, said parks and gardens could help improve community life.

"It is right that people get a say in the trust's proposals and we really hope that many people will share their thoughts and ideas," she said.

Mr Norman added: "We would like people to come and voice their support and express concerns, if they have them, which we can discuss."

The trust's plans are being displayed at Llewelyn Hall, Swansea Road, Penllergaer, on March 26 from 4pm to 8pm.

You can also learn about them by joining guided walks at Valley Woods on March 27, starting at 11am and 2pm.

For more details, email the trust at contact@penllergare.org or write to Coed Glantawe, Esgairdawe, Llandeilo, SA19 7RT.

richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk