Cwmcarn Forest Resource Plan - Approved 15 January 2026

Location and setting

Cwm Carn Forest Resource Plan is made up approximately 9 woodlands most of which are in the Caerphilly Country Borough area and cover 1,911 hectares.

The setting for the woodlands are steep sided valleys and flatter upland plateaus with a large proportion being Plantation on Ancient Woodland. The majority of the Cwm Carn FRP extends along the steep sided Lower Sirhywi and Ebbw Valleys close to the communities of Risca, Crosskeys, Cwm Carn, Abercarn, Wattsville, Cwmfelinfach and Ynysddu. There are two outlying blocks in Machen & Llanbradach which are in the Lower Rhymney Valley.

Location map

Summary objectives

These will set the management objectives for the forest resource plan and wider activities for Natural Resources Wales in order to maintain and enhance the resilience of ecosystems, and the benefits they provide. These are shown in priority order.

Objective 1: Ancient woodland

Restoration of the ancient woodland in all of the Forest Resource Plan (FRP) Woodland blocks is a leading objective, in line with the South East Area Statement and Welsh Government Woodland Strategy, as over 50% of this FRP is made up of Ancient Woodland. In these areas there will be gradual removal of existing conifers over time through Low Impact Silvicultural Systems where appropriate, with a preference for Continuous Cover Systems. Natural regeneration of broadleaves, and possible enrichment underplanting, will be a preferred method of diversifying stands. Some clear-fell and restocking will still be necessary where Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHN) have been issued.

Objective 2: Biodiversity and connectivity

Work with partners and other NRW teams to identify and deliver opportunities for Resilient Ecological Networks (RENS) and connect and enhance priority habitats, protected areas within and adjacent to FRP woodlands, and priority and protected species, 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, and creating varied edge habitats where they adjoin non-woodland habitats, across the entire FRP area. Best practice will be followed as per the Habitats Regulations Assessment which does not include any bespoke mitigation.

Objective 3: Recreation and wellbeing

Work with our partners and communities to identify how and where the WGWE can deliver nature-based solutions for health and wellbeing, provide opportunities to connect people with nature, increase responsible use and low impact recreation in appropriate areas, reduce anti-social behaviour (i.e. fly tipping and off-roading) and where we can involve communities in its management.

The main Cwm Carn block and forest drive is already a focus for forest recreation in the area and this will remain the long-term vision on this site and will continue to be the focus for recreation in the FRP to enable other areas to deliver timber production and habitat restoration.

Objective 4: 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 (for example with sheep trespass), and encourage closer working relationships. Across all FRP Woodlands.

Objective 5: Forest resilience

Continue to diversify the forest species, age and structural composition 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, manage ash, and manage invasive non-native species appropriately across the FRP area. The species diversity is generally good across the plan but resilience could be improved further through increasing the range of species planted, where suitable, and continuing to manage areas under Low Impact Silvicultural Systems where possible to increase age and structural diversity.

Objective 6: Wildfire

Work with partners and the community to raise awareness and reduce the risk of wildfire through education and forest design. Many areas in the main Cwm Carn block have a high wildfire risk. There needs to be some investment in fire planning and controls which will be addressed through operational plans.

Objective 7: Sustainable timber production

Maintain timber production where appropriate. Where site conditions and crop characteristics allow, look to employ continuous cover systems to provide opportunities to diversify species and structure of the woodlands, which will enhance the sustainability and resilience of the forests, as well as provide economic benefits. The FRP requires investment in forest facilities to provide better access for timber extraction and to allow more diverse management prescriptions within the woodlands. This will enable regular thinning to be carried out and the remaining larch stands to be removed.

Objective 8: Water management

Forestry management should not cause any reduction of water quality nor should contribute to the existing level of flood risk both within the woodlands and offsite. This will be achieved through good forestry practice in accordance with the latest UK Forestry Standard, following relevant forestry guidance and silvicultural practices that help mitigate surface water run-off. Consideration of measures to reduce the volume of flows leaving forest blocks should include Natural Flood Management (NFM) where possible.

Flood assessment has found that there were some higher risk flood areas which have already been clear-felled. Most of the area has been restocked and the final area will be restocked this winter to re-establish canopy cover and reduce the risk.