The Welsh Government will look into the feasibility of establishing a National Observatory for Wales, following a call made by Clwyd West MS Darren Millar.

Darren, himself a keen amateur astronomer, made the call in the Senedd in early November, having previously called on the Welsh Government to consider establishing such an institution in September 2021.

He noted that he was “particularly keen to see a national observatory established in the Clwydian Range, in what will be our new national park, which I’m very much looking forward to”.

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is proposed to become part of a new North East Wales National Park, under current Welsh Government plans.

Darren has previously recognised the area’s dark skies as making it “the perfect location for stargazing”.

He highlighted the opportunities the project could have for collaboration with research done at Wrexham University, which he recently visited, and praised the “cutting-edge research” being done in the University’s OpTIC Technology Centre in St Asaph as making North Wales an ideal location for a new research base.

Darren also noted that a National Observatory had potential as a visitor attraction.

Lesley Griffiths, the Minister responsible for the new National Park replied that she would be “very happy to have a look” at Darren’s proposal, and indicated that she could discuss the matter further with Education Minister Jeremy Miles.