LAND at Abergavenny's Mill Street is set to become a community orchard.

The Abergavenny Climate Action group is in advanced negotiations in securing a formal lease from Monmouthshire County Council to achieve their aim of a community orchard and garden.

The action group has applied for a grant to offset most of the cost of the lease from Environment Wales by establishing an orchard that will grow Monmouthshire varieties of cider apples, perry trees and other fruit trees.

Its the group's intention that the orchard and gardens will be available to be used by the general public.

The summer fruits will be sold to generate an income to support the ongoing maintenance of the area and the future development of the orchard.

A final decision will be made by Monmouthshire County Council this week to lease the land, which is currently under utilised.

If the local authority agree to the scheme, which is in accordance with the council's aim to encourage sustainability within local communities, will release the authority from it's maintenance and grass cutting liabilities.