Views wanted on how forests in the Rhondda valley are managed

People who enjoy using the woodlands across the Lower Rhondda valley are invited to have their say on how Natural Resources Wales (NRW) plans to manage them in the future.

NRW – who manage the Welsh Government Woodland Estate across Wales – has developed a 25-year management plan for the seven woodlands within the Lower Rhondda area.

The seven woodlands are:

• Gelliwion - west of Pontypridd.
• Penrhiwfer - east of Gilfach Goch.
• Mynydd Ton - stretches from Tonypandy and Llwynypia up to Ton Pentre.
• Mynydd Maendy - south of Cwm-parc.
• Cwmsaerbren - runs alongside Treorchy up to Treherbert.
• Pentre - north of Pentre up to Maerdy.
• Penrhys - north of Penrhys and west of Tylorstown.

The plan sets out long term objectives and proposals for the future management of the woodlands and the trees within them. It also includes strategies for how NRW will continue to tackle the diseased larch in the area.

People can read the plans in detail and leave feedback via NRW’s online consultation.

NRW has also partnered with Spectacle Theatre to organise community events to give people an opportunity to hear about the plans for their local woodlands, ask questions and have their say.

Details of the events are:

• Walk and talk at Mynydd Maendy Forest, Tuesday 15 March 2022, 10am – 12pm. Meeting at the entrance to the forest on Bwlch-y-Clawdd Road (A4061).
• Walk and talk at Gelliwion Forest, Monday 21 March 2022, 9:30am – 12pm. Meeting at Barry Sidings Country Park Car Park. CF42 6DH.
• Community event, Wednesday, 23 March 2022, 5pm – 7pm at Ton Pentre Football / Social Club. CF41 7AF.

Chris Rees, Forest Operations Manager for NRW, said:

“Our forests offer so many benefits to the natural environment and to our communities. They help us in the fight against the climate and nature emergencies, provide good quality timber for us to use, and wonderful places for us all to spend time in and enjoy.

“We know how valued our woodlands are, and we want to make sure the people who use them have the opportunity to have a say about how they are managed in the future.

“Join us at one of our community events or complete our online survey. This will help us to ensure these areas can continue to meet the needs of the local communities for years to come.”

The consultation is open until 8 April 2022.

Anyone wishing to participate but unable to view the proposals online can contact 03000 65 3000 or email frp@naturalresources.wales and request a hard copy.

Residents who wish to send feedback by post can send it to:

Lower Rhondda Forest Resource Plan, Natural Resources Wales, 29 Newport Road, Cardiff. CF24 0TP