Wye Valley North Forest Resource Plan – Approved 29 July 2024

Location & setting

Wye Valley North Forest Resource Plan includes 13 woodlands in Monmouthshire covering approximately 1,946 hectares. The setting for of the majority of the woodlands is mostly improved agricultural grassland, native broadleaved woodland, and urban centres. The majority of woodlands are Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) or Ancient Semi Natural Woodlands (ASNW), with the Wye Valley being one of the most important areas in Wales for Ancient Woodland. The woods are also well used by the local community for informal recreation.

Location map

• Wye Valley North location map

Wye Valley North forest resource plan objectives

These will set the management objectives for the forest resource plan and wider activities for NRW in order to maintain and enhance the resilience of ecosystems, and the benefits they provide:

• Restoration of the ancient woodland in the FRP area is a primary objective in line with the SE Area Statement, WG Woodland Strategy, and Wye Valley National Landscape Action Plan, with gradual removal of existing conifers over time through LISS allowing natural regeneration of broadleaves and diversification of species.
• Maintain timber production where appropriate, including productive broadleaves. This will 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.
• Diversify the forest species 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, including cherry laurel.
• Invest in forest infrastructure (upgrading timber haulage routes, forest roads, water management engineering such as drains and culverts) to provide better access; to allow more diverse management prescriptions within the woodlands; to carry out regular thinning where possible; to remove remaining larch stands and to achieve conservation objectives.
• Work with partners and other NRW teams to identify and deliver opportunities to connect and enhance priority habitats and 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, coppicing, connecting open habitats and rides, taking account of the various bat species present in the area during any management activities, restoring and expanding areas of open heathland where appropriate and creating varied edge habitats where they adjoin non-woodland habitats, across the FRP area.
• Work with partners to encourage and increase responsible use and low impact 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.
• 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 and have regard for the Severn River Basin Management Plan (2021-2027).
• Work with our partners and communities to identify how and where the WGWE can deliver nature-based solutions for health and wellbeing and provide opportunities to connect people with nature, and where we can involve communities in its management.
• 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.
• Work with neighbours and other stakeholders regarding the management of deer, grey squirrel and wild boar on the WGWE and neighbouring areas to reduce negative impacts. Manage open space on the Welsh Government woodland estate to facilitate wildlife management.
• Monitor, maintain and enhance the footpath provision within the Wye Valley Woodlands to ensure continued safe and responsible public access is possible.

Maps

• Long Term Vision Map 1
• Long Term Vision Map 2
• Long Term Vision Map 3
• Forest Management Types Map 1
• Forest Management Types Map 2
• Forest Management Types Map 3
• Indicative Forest Types & Restocking Map 1
• Indicative Forest Types & Restocking Map 2
• Indicative Forest Types & Restocking Map 3

Comments or feedback

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