Plans to restore peatland near two villages on the north Shropshire border have been approved.

Wrexham County Borough Council approved plans to restore the peatland in land near Fenns Bank and Bronington as part of its decarbonisation plan.

The land is close to the Fenn’s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve and along with Wem Moss and Cadney Moss form the UK's third largest lowland bog.

Council leader, Councillor Mark Pritchard believes the project will be a huge benefit.

He said: "This is a unique project and one that has the potential to enhance the area whilst taking carbon out of our environment.

"I’d like to thank those involved in identifying the land and putting forward exciting plans for its restoration.

"The ecological systems it will encourage and support will be huge and Wrexham will be leading the way in Wales when it comes to ground-breaking projects to reduce and offset carbon emissions."

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and deputy leader and climate change champion, Cllr David A Bithell believes it will make a difference.

He said: "We declared a climate and ecological emergency in September 2019 and lots of work has taken place since then to address the emergency.

"Through this project we can show that we’re putting our decarbonisation plans at the heart of our decision-making and really making a difference."

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Wrexham County Borough Council believes it would be possible to improve biodiversity in the area.

A spokesperson said: "The land contains some areas of peat soils, which are extremely valuable for their carbon sequestration properties

"It is also suitable for additional planting to increase our hedgerows, tree and woodland stock, support nature and enhance the overall biodiversity over the area.

"Peat is made up of organic carbon that has been trapped in the earth for thousands of years, and it plays a crucial role in naturally trapping and storing carbon.

"Peat can only lockdown carbon when it is actively growing, and that growth can only take place in healthy habitats whilst damaged peatlands will release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, meaning it is all the more important that they are properly managed.

"Going forward there could be opportunities to develop the area as a public open space, improve the accessibility of the existing public footpath and enable access to nature, educational activity and learning spaces for local communities."