Gethin, Allen's Estate & Merthyr Vale Forest Resource Plan Consultation
Overview
Read this page in Welsh / Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg
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, which set out the long-term vision for these woodlands and are the basis for 10-25-year silvicultural programmes of work (management of the trees) that set out to deliver this vision.
Gethin, Merthyr Vale & Allen's Estate Forest Resource Plan is made up approximately 5 woodlands split between Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and cover an area of 1,365 hectares.
The setting for the woodlands are steep sided valleys close to the communities of Merthyr Tydfil to the North, through Aberfan, Mountain Ash and Troedyrhiw and down to Treharris and Abercynon in the South.
The majority of the FRP extends between the River Taff to the east and River Cynon to the West and sits within the wider Taff Catchment
The FRP provides multiple benefits with some areas providing valuable timber resource, others with a focus on Recreation (i.e. Bike Park Wales) and habitat restoration (Ancient Woodland Restoration, Great Crested Newt habitat, Grassland habitat)
Gethin, Merthyr Vale & Allen's Estate FRP
Below is a summary of objectives for the plan:
Maps
This document helps to explain some of the categories shown on the maps below:
Overview of Forest Resource Plan Forests
Location Map
Map 1 - Long Term Primary Management Objectives
Gethin, Allen's Estate & Merthyr Vale Forest Resource Plan Long Term Vision
Map 2 - Forest Management Systems
Gethin, Allen's Estate & Merthyr Vale Forest Resource Plan Management Strategy
Map 3 – Indicative Forest Types and Habitats
Gethin, Allen's Estate & Merthyr Vale Forest Resource Plan Indicative Types & Restock
Summary of the main changes that will occur in the forest:
- More broadleaves along river corridors and valley sides over time
- Increase in Long-term retention of forest cover
- Gradual Restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites
- Diversification of tree species
Why your views matter
We would like to know your opinion and views on the new plans within the Gethin, Merthyr Vale and Allen's Estate Forest Resource Plan, so it can help us improve the long-term management of the forest.
Give us your views
Events
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Forestry Drop In Session
From 24 Mar 2026 at 14:00 to 24 Mar 2026 at 17:30Location Mountain Ash Library, Oxford Street, Mountain Ash CF45 3HDThere will be a drop in session at Cefn Pennar Community Hub Mountain Ash Library on the 24th March 2026. The Forest Resource Planner and Forestry Operational staff will be available to chat to anyone about the future of the forest in the Gethin, Allen's Estate & Merthyr Vale FRP area.
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Forestry Drop In Session
From 26 Mar 2026 at 14:30 to 26 Mar 2026 at 18:30Location Bridge Street, Troed-y-rhiw CF48 4DXThere will be a drop in session at The Willows Centre Troed-y-rhiw on the 26th March 2026. The Forest Resource Planner and Forestry Operational staff will be available to chat to anyone about the future of the forest in the Gethin, Allen's Estate & Merthyr Vale FRP area.
Areas
- Abercynon
- Aberdare East
- Cwmbach
- Merthyr Vale
- Mountain Ash East
- Mountain Ash West
- Penrhiwceiber
- Treharris
Audiences
- DCWW
- Forest Management
Interests
- Forest Management
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