Major parking problems at a local beauty spot could soon be a thing of the past if a planning application by the National Trust for a new car park is given the go ahead.

The Skirrid mountain, just north of Abergavenny, could soon have a new car park with capacity for up to five times more vehicles than the current lay-by, if the National Trust, which owns the mountain, is granted planning permission.

The National Trust, which also owns the Sugar Loaf and Clytha Estate, is seeking permission to create 50 core car parking spaces on a strip of land adjoining the small lay-by currently used for parking, along with an additional 25 grass overflow spaces.

The lay by on the Abergavenny to Skenfrith road holds a maximum of 15 cars and is situated on the crest of a hill, making it a dangerous spot that on busy days can't cope with the number of people wanting to take advantage of the beautiful countryside.

The National Trust has submitted an application for full planning permission to the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and has the support of the local community council and Monmouthshire County Council.

Councillor Ralph Chapman, said, "It has long been known that at busy times cars parked along the edge of the Abergavenny-Skenfrith road cause obstructions and block gateways and entrances to properties.

"It's amazing there haven't been serious accidents along this dangerous section of road."

About 18 months ago Monmouthshire County Council painted double yellow lines on the road in a bid to stop people parking there and the National Trust took the decision to ask the owner of the adjacent land if it could purchase a narrow strip on which to build a new car park.

Parking at the Skirrid has been an issue raised by the community council, police and highways for at least the last 20 years due to inadequate space and cars parking along a dangerous section of the road and blocking access.

The new car park will be pay and display, with prices pitched at reasonable local charges, but will be free to National Trust members.

The money will go towards maintaining the car park, footpaths and woodlands around the Skirrid, which cost the charity thousands of pounds every year to maintain.

The National Trust's countryside manager for the Brecon Beacons and Monmouthshire, Joe Daggett, said, "A new car park at the Skirrid will be a huge benefit to everyone who enjoys spending time there, walking and taking in the stunning surrounding countryside.

The revenue created by the car park will enable us as a charity to undertake more work to keep this corner of our countryside special."

The plans have been submitted to the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and are available to view on the authority's website, where members of the public can comment on the proposals.