RESIDENTS of Portskewett and Sudbrook could have a hand in the future management of a popular picnic site.

Officers from Monmouthshire County Council and pupils from Archbishop Rowan Williams Primary School are seeking local people’s views on the Black Rock picnic area.

The community consultations are seen as an "important stage" in a process to encourage the people of the area to help plan and shape the future use of Black Rock so all ages can use this local facility.

It could result in members of the community potentially contributing to the running of the site in the formation of a Friends Group, says head countryside warden Mark Langley.

He said: “Black Rock picnic cite is a superb asset on Monmouthshire’s coast.

"We would be very interested to find out what residents think of the area and how we can manage the site for the benefit of the local community and the primary school.

"We are not aiming to drastically change the land use, we would just like peoples’ opinions on how we are managing the site and their ideas on how we can improve the experience of locals and visitors using it."

He added: "Following on from this we would also like them to get involved in helping us to manage the site in the future."

A drop-in session will be held in the main hall of the primary school on Friday, February 10, from 3pm to 7pm and on Saturday 11 from 10am to noon.

The sessions will be facilitated by Shirley Hughes, a community development officer, who has held similar sessions in rural villages across Monmouthshire.

Ms Hughes has also worked with the Countryside Services on open land in Rogiet, Chepstow and Abergavenny.

Anyone with old photos or stories about the site are also invited to bring them and share at the consultation next month.

For more information about the consultations contact: Mark Langley on 01291 691237 or 07836 221598, or email marklangley@monmouthshire.gov.uk