Alwen Forest Resource Plan
Location and setting
Alwen Forest Resource Plan (FRP) has a total area of 1,382 ha and is predominantly coniferous. Alwen forest partly lies within the Mynydd Hiraethog/Denbigh Moors SSSI and is for the most part nestled between the B4501 and A543 Pentrefoelas to Denbigh road. The Alwen Reservoir forms a prominent landscape feature situated in the southern end of the forest, with Llyn Brenig, a reservoir and visitor attraction, lying immediately to the east of the FRP’s boundary. Both water bodies and associated infrastructure are owned and managed by Welsh Water.
The surrounding habitat of the Alwen FRP blocks consists of enclosed grazed farmland and open moorland, commercial conifer forest blocks, which dominate the higher elevations and mixed conifer/broadleaved woodlands on the lower slopes and riversides.
Parts of the Alwen forest are dedicated for open access on foot under the CRoW Act, with the forest also containing a series of footpaths, walking trails and a cycle trail. Access for horse and cycles is allowed on the forest roads on a permissive basis.
Alwen Forest falls into seven different river catchments as defined by the Water Framework Directive (WFD), which in turn sit within the larger Dee, Clwyd and Conwy catchments.
Summary of objectives
The following management objectives have been agreed in order to maintain and enhance the resilience of ecosystems, and the benefits they provide:
- Increase structural diversity and Red Squirrel conservation through natural reserves, and Continuous Cover Forestry.
- Increase the areas managed as peatland bog by conversion from conifer forest & rewetting open areas.
- Continue to maintain a sustainable supply of timber production through the design of felling and restock species choice.
- Increased successional /riparian woodland areas for the improvement of habitat resilience and landscape scale habitat linkages.
- Identify and protect important heritage features, including the historic natural environment.
- Continue to identify and restore ancient woodland site features and areas of conservation interest.
- Maintain and improve visitors experience by providing a safe and enjoyable diverse environment.
Maps
Comments or feedback
If you have any comments or feedback, you can contact the Forest Resource Planning team at frp@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk.