We asked for your comments on the Forest Resource Plan for the Welsh Government Woodland Estate in the Heads of the Valleys region. 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 Team whose work the plan informs.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.

There was broad support for aims to restore and manage ancient semi natural woodland on the estate, improve biodiversity, and increase the area of native broadleaves within the woodlands.

Some responses were concerned about the situation at Arail Bank and the impact the larch is having on local residents.

Some responses were concerned about the impact of unauthorised bike trails on the woodlands. One asked about natural flood management solutions on the estate, and another proposed working closely with partners to improve biodiversity.

We have taken the comments received on board and they have been shared with relevant teams within Natural Resources Wales. The level of interest in this FRP shows how much the woodlands are valued locally and by visitors for recreation and health and wellbeing which is something we want to support and encourage.

Arail Bank is a complicated woodland that has a number of issues that are impacting on its management. This includes access issues, landslip hazards, fissures, and disused mine workings. We are trying to identify a way forward for the management of Arail Bank but this will take some time.

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 such as Phytophthora Ramorum, which has impacted larch, ash die back, and other diseases that are affecting the resilience of the woodlands.