Wealthy businessman Raymond Fagan is to donate £30,000 towards a proposed environmental site close to Rhuddlan Castle, providing an area of tranquillity for future generations of residents and tourists.

Now living in London, Mr Fagan returned to his home town to meet Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane and representatives of the Rhuddlan Environment Group and Denbighshire County Council, which owns most of the land.

He outlined his intentions and visited the proposed site, where plans for a controversial recycling plant were dropped last month after a campaign by residents.

Despite having lived away from Rhuddlan for several years, Mr Fagan retains a strong affection for the town, where his parents, Tom, a long-serving councillor, and mother Edith, were strongly involved in the local community.

He said: “I had met Chris Ruane on a few occasions in the Houses of Parliament and we talked about doing something in dedication to my parents.

“I would like to give something back to the town where I was brought up and the key thing for me is for the community to decide what to do with it.

“I’m the type of person who likes to close deals and the money will be there when the project is ready to move forward.”

As revealed in the Journal last month, Mr Fagan is also looking to help create more football pitches and other community facilities in the Rhuddlan area in the coming years.

Brenda Taylor, chairman of the Rhuddlan Environment Group, believes the town will benefit strongly if the nature reserve goes ahead.

She said: “I’m really moved by Raymond’s generosity and with his wish to carry on the tremendous work that his parents did for this community.”

Mr Ruane, who said the meeting was “successful”, is now looking to hear from residents on what they would like to see in a nature reserve if it receives planning permission. He can be contacted on 01745 354626.