Cwmcarn Forest Resource Plan Consultation

We asked for your comments on the Cwmcarn Forest Resource Plan. The Forest Resource Plan is a high level plan that determines the overall management of the woodlands, setting out the long term objectives for each woodland (ancient woodland restoration, native woodland management, or standard forestry management, for example), and the general approach to any restocking, such as with native broadleaf or coniferous species. But the plan does not go into the specific day to day management of the estate, this is provided by our Land Management and Forest Operations Teams, whose work the plan informs.

We had a relatively low level of responses to this consultation with 7 people/organisations taking the time to provide comments through our online Citizen Space portal or directly by email. Our face to face drop in event saw  11 members of the public or local organisations coming to talk to us. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.

There was broad support for the aims to continue to restore and manage ancient woodland and improve biodiversity and riparian areas.

We had some responses with concerns over anti-social behaviour, protection of heritage features and footpath maintenance. There were also concerns raised over connectivity for wildlife through the landscape and loss of productive conifer through our restoration efforts.

There was some dissatisfaction about the maps and how to clearly view and interpret them.

We have taken the comments received on board and they have been shared with relevant teams within Natural Resources Wales so that where possible they can be actioned or recorded to be taken into consideration for future management.

We are working on alternative options for viewing our maps online and better ways of using the system we currently have available to us.

Our Long-Term Vision shows where we plan to improve connectivity for wildlife. We aim to improve our riparian woodland areas and connect these to riparian woodland outside of our boundary. We will be continuing to gradually restore our ancient woodland sites within the timeframe of this Forest Resource Plan and beyond, to provide connectivity of this important habitat for a variety or flora and fauna. This connectivity will be within and outside of the boundary where we connect with the already existing native woodland and hedgerows. There will also be projects ongoing at a smaller scale whereby the local teams will be improving habitat for a range of species that use our forest.

We realise that there are certain recreational pressures that are a concern and we are working hard to change this and encourage responsible recreation. Our local Land Management team will continue to work on these issues in line with the plan’s Objective 2 for Recreation and Wellbeing.

We take on board that our long term plans for this Forest Resource Plan area will see a gradual decline in productive conifer, however at a national level we look to balance this through more intensive management in appropriate areas and exploring opportunities for hardwood production.

We are aware that there are numerous heritage features within the land in our care here and we ensure these are protected during operations. We are in regular contact with the Archaeological Trust and CADW to update our heritage feature data.

We are working hard to balance the demands on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate and the three objectives as set out in the Woodlands for Wales: The Welsh Government’s Strategy for Woodlands and Trees (2018), that they provide benefits for communities, for biodiversity and the environment, and for the economy. We are also working hard to meet the challenges provided by diseases and storms that are affecting the resilience of the woodlands.