Rainforest plan for South Wales

Feb 13 2008 by Robin Turner, Western Mail

WALES could have its own rainforest next to the M4 within the next few years.

Plans for the ambitious £45m scheme near Bridgend were unveiled yesterday.

Would-be developers say it will involve a high class hotel encased in a glass bubble surrounded by tropical plants, animals, streams and waterfalls.

A spokesman for tourism body Visit Wales said yesterday a senior investment analyst had met with representatives of the developers, Rainforest Ventures, to discuss the project.

The Visit Wales spokesman said while the project was “exciting” it was in its very early stages.

John Woodman, director and co-founder of Rainforest Ventures, said yesterday the plan was to establish the 100,000sq ft rainforest close to the so-called Valleywood Studios being developed at Llanharan near Bridgend.

Mr Woodman said, “Our company aims to assure sustained public attention to the threat of rainforest deforestation via logging, shifting, cultivation, agricultural land development and the role and value these vital regions play in maintaining global climate balance.”

Rainforest Ventures says it has been asked to provide an anchor attraction next to the 317-acre film studios complex.

Building work on the studios began last summer and the first phase of the development is set to finish this June or July. According to developers, the studios could create about 1,700 jobs.

Dragon International Studios which is building the film complex did not comment on the rainforest plans yesterday.