Afan Forest Resource Plan

Overview

Natural Resources Wales is responsible for the sustainable management of the publicly owned woodlands and forests of Wales. They are managed for the benefit and well-being of the people who visit them and depend on them for their livelihood. This responsibility includes improving their biodiversity and long-term resilience to climate change so that future generations will also be able to enjoy the benefits they provide. Every ten years Natural Resources Wales reviews the long-term management plans for each forest area. These are compiled in a new Forest Resource Plan.

Afan Forest Resource Plan encompasses around 3500 Ha across one contiguous forest running the length of the Afan Valley and one smaller block known as Mynydd Emroch. There are four woodlands that make up the core of the Afan FRP.

• Penhydd

• Foel

• Glyncorrwg

• Michaelston

• Mynydd Emroch

Afan opportunties

General Forestry Practice – We will continue to produce timber in a sustainable way and keep diversifying our tree species. We will adopt continuous cover forestry systems where conditions are suitable. We will increase the volume of tree thinning to support this objective.

Forests and Biodiversity -  We will bring the heathland restoration site on the Foel into management. We will continue to manage invasive species and large herbivores. We will continue to restore ancient woodland and develop conservation networks within the forest to improve ecological resilience.

Forests and Climate Change – We will take opportunities to restore afforested peatlands where appropriate and increase the broadleaved woodland cover to help remove CO2 from the atmosphere. We will support appropriate renewable energy development.

Forests and the Historic Environment – We will continue to manage the scheduled monuments in the forest.

Forests and Landscape – We will continue to choose trees that complement the character of the Afan Valley as we continue to recover from the effects of larch clearance.

Forests and People – We will maintain and where possible enhance the recreation provision in Afan. This includes 4 named walking trails and 150km of mountain bike trails, equestrian provision and 3 recreation ‘hubs’. 

Forests and Soil – We will take opportunities to restore degraded peatlands.

Forests and Water – We will identify potential flood risk as a result of our operations and where necessary take steps to reduce the risk. We will look to improve the resilience of the nursey fishery in the Corrwg through catchment management where possible. 

Location Map

Map 1

Map 2

Map 3 

Why your views matter

We would welcome your opinions about our plans for Afan. We will use these to improve our management of the forests.