Lower Rhondda Forest Resource Plan - Approved 10 August 2022

Location and setting

The Lower Rhondda Forest Resource Plan consists of 7 woodlands in the Rhondda Valley, totalling 2,025 hectares. The woodlands are predominantly conifer plantations on the valley sides and hilltops. Part of the Welsh Government Woodland Estate at Cwm Saerbren is within the Mynydd Ty-Isaf Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and Craig Pont SSSI is next to Mynydd Ton Forest above Llwynypia.

The neighbouring habitats of these forests are Ffridd and open heathland habitat on the hilltops, with some areas of bog, and native woodlands and improved agricultural grassland on the valley sides. The majority of these forests are also next to communities who use them for low level recreation for health and wellbeing.

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:

• Diversify the forest species composition where possible to increase resilience to pests and diseases, and the effects of climate change, whilst building a robust forest for future generations. Remove remaining stands of larch and manage ash appropriately for ash die back disease.
• Maintain timber production where appropriate. This will provide opportunities to diversify species and the structure of the woodlands, which will enhance the sustainability and resilience of the forests, as well as provide economic benefits.
• Increase structural diversity through Low Impact Silvicultural management, and natural regeneration, where appropriate.
• Invest in forest infrastructure to provide better access to allow more diverse management prescriptions within the woodlands, carry out regular thinning where possible, remove remaining larch stands, and deliver conservation objectives.
• Work with partners and other NRW teams to identify and deliver opportunities to connect and enhance priority habitats within and adjacent to FRP woodlands to improve resilience and connectivity and prevent negative impacts from management activities. Such as connecting and restoring ancient and native woodland, connecting open habitats and rides, creating varied edge habitats where they adjoin upland heath grassland, and restoring areas of afforested deep peat, and planning for management of suitable habitats for nightjars across the FRP area.
• Work with partners to encourage and increase responsible use and recreation on the WGWE to deliver wellbeing benefits for local communities, user groups and visitors, and to reduce anti-social behaviour, including off-road vehicles, and fly tipping.
• Forestry management should not contribute to the existing level of flood risk both within the woodlands and anywhere offsite and where possible, measures should be implemented to reduce any potential risk of flooding; both are to be achieved through good forestry practice in accordance with the latest UK Forestry Standard and relevant forestry guidance; and through consultation and engagement with the relevant Lead Local Flood Authority during planning of felling operations. Consideration of measures to reduce the volume of flows leaving forest blocks as a result of felling operations should include Natural Flood Management.
• The Forest Resource Plan must have due regard to the Welsh Government’s National Flood and Coastal Erosion Strategy and the Lead Local Flood Authority’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.
• Forestry management should not cause any reduction of water quality both within on-site water features and watercourse draining off-site through good forestry practice in accordance with the latest UK Forestry Standard and relevant forestry guidance.
• Reduce the risk of wildfires by planning and delivering appropriate fire control measures during and after operations, such as creating and managing fire breaks around restock areas and working with South Wales Fire Service to plan and implement measures on the estate.
• Work with our partners and communities to identify how and where the WGWE can deliver nature-based solutions to improve health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to connect people with nature, and where we can involve communities in its management. Work towards supporting and delivering the long-term vision for the woodland of Cwm Saerbren as set out following the Co-production process.
• Being good neighbours - Consult and engage with neighbours, communities, and other stakeholders regarding the management of the WGWE and upcoming operations to improve relationships and knowledge on how and why the estate is managed, reduce conflict, and encourage closer working relationships.
• Enhance resilience of non-woodland open habitats (e.g. heath, grassland), and manage Mynydd Ty Isaf SSSI in line with the management plan, creating and managing open areas and introducing grazing where appropriate.

Maps

Location map
Long-term primary objectives map
Forest management systems map
Indicative forest types and habitats map

Comments or feedback

If you have any comments or feedback, you can contact the Forest Resource Planning team at frp@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk